Coronavirus has led to a world-wide panic. But it has also spread an infodemic. A lot of misinformation about how it spreads and how it can be cured is doing rounds on social media, spreading further, unnecessary panic. Playing a massive role in spreading misinformation are many ¡®influential¡¯ personalities and politicians. These people are passing on information and coming up with their own cures of COVID¡¯19, without any scientific backing or credibility.?
The spread of misinformation, fake news and ineffective cures, is almost as bad as the disease itself.
Here is the compilation of absolutely ridiculous claims made by famous personalities. We bust the myths and tell what can ACTUALLY help prevent the infection or cause it.?
So the biggest scientist the state of Uttar Pradesh has seen in a long time, its CM, Yogi Adityanath, was at a Yog Mahotsav in Rishikesh recently. There he said, ¡°The Indian tradition needs to be understood more deeply as it has tremendous things to offer through yoga. The world is waging a war against mental and physical illnesses. If these are cured, then no one will suffer from blood pressure, heart attack, kidney failure, liver failure or even coronavirus for that matter."
Yogi ji, Yoga se bahut kuch hoga but coronavirus cure nahi.?
What could actually help prevent it: Needless to point out that one should not be in the vicinity of a person who is sick. Make sure you wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
One can understand that world leaders do not want the residents of their nation to not panic. But that is no reason to spread information with no scientific backing whatsoever.?
In a rally in New Hampshire, Donald Trump said that the coronavirus will miraculously go away by April as temperatures rise. Unsurprisingly, he gave no scientific or medical explanation to support his theory.
Scientists are indeed hoping that the effect of the virus will die down with rise in temperatures, but we can¡¯t know that right now.?
What causes coronavirus: The virus seems to be spreading from person to person among those in close contact. It may be spread by respiratory droplets released when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes.?
This has not been claimed by any famous personality, but a video of a lady claiming that 5G is majorly responsible for the spreading of COVID-19, has been going viral.?
No, this isn't a typo, this is exactly what she said in a video whilst talking about COVID-19.
She started speaking about people passing out due to dry cough and pneumonia and how that's actually because of 5G. She then links this to the myths of 5G on human health and how this is the causal link for people getting affected in Wuhan.
Electronic waves cause many kinds of problems, but 5G is certainly not the reason for Coronavirus spread.?
What might actually cause it: Recent travel from or residence in China
Close contact with someone who has COVID-19 ¡ª such as when a family member or health care worker takes care of an infected person.?
Spoiler alert: It won't.
We're not sure whether cows, their gobar, urine et al have magical healing powers, but none of these items cure Coronavirus. Not every problem that exists in the entire world - cancer, cold, flu, war - can be cured by gau mutra and gobar. So, it is not really surprising that one BJP MLA went on record to say the same about coronavirus.?
Suman Haripriya, BJP MLA, in Assam claimed that cow urine and cow dung are helpful in curing deadly diseases like cancer.
"We all know that cow dung is very helpful. Likewise, when cow urine is sprayed, it purifies an area... I believe something similar could be done with 'gaumutra' and 'gobar' to cure coronavirus (disease)," she said.?
There is no scientific proof of whether cow urine or cow dung can do anything at all to cure illnesses, so it would be wise to not fall for such aimless, sans science claims.?
What can actually be helpful: Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands aren't clean.
According to an Economic Times report, India¡¯s poultry industry has lost Rs 13 billion ($182 million) in three weeks, after social media was rife with speculation that chickens are a cause of the spread of coronavirus, denting demand for chicken and nearly halving prices, say industry officials.
Millions of small poultry farmers have been hit by a sudden drop in sales.
Soybean and corn producers have also been affected, with prices of both the commodities used in animal feed have fallen up to 8% in the past.?
It is true that ground zero of coronavirus is believed to be the meat market in Wuhan which sold live bats and rats. But the belief that the virus spreads through poultry is baseless.?
What you should avoid doing is¡ sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you're sick. Clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch. Stay home from work, school and public areas if you're sick.
It is really important to strictly follow WHO guidelines on how to stay safe and prevent contracting the disease, instead of believing what people - no matter how up in stature - say.?
It is important to not panic and immediately go to the doctor and get tested if one notices symptoms of high fever and cold.?