'Do You Need A Mask? Does It Spread Via Food?' Busting The Myths Around Coronavirus

Here is what we know, so far. On January 9, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the outbreak of the new coronavirus (a.k.a nCoV). It is believed to have originated in Wuhan, a city in China¡¯s Hubei province. Its symptoms resemble that of the common cold. China has imposed travel restrictions on its citizens and some cities in the country are under lockdown to control its spread.

Since the outbreak, the virus has so far infected over 5,000 people and killed 132 people. There have been confirmed cases of the coronavirus in countries such as Germany, USA, France, Japan, Canada and Australia, among others. In India, people arriving from China are being screened for symptoms at airports. The government has additionally announced a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for those evacuated from the country.

While the governments around the world are doing their best to contain the further spread of this virus, there is a still a lot that we don¡¯t know about it. Naturally then, WhatsApp university, social media and certain websites are filling the vacuum by dispersing false information and unproven claims.

These misconceptions create panic and hamper efforts to stop the spread of the virus. So arm yourself with facts as we bust myths surrounding the coronavirus.

Myth 1. It is a ¡°fad disease¡±

There have been posts on social media that call the coronavirus a ¡°fad disease¡±. These posts claim that a patent for its vaccine had been filed in 2015. In reality, it turns out that filing for patents in advance is standard procedure in the pharma industry. In fact, at the time, the patent filed was for a strain that wasn¡¯t infecting humans. As of today, no vaccine exists for the coronavirus.

AFP

Myth 2. It spreads via food.

One of the fake messages doing the rounds on WhatsApp reads: ¡°Corona virus, very new deadly form of virus, China is suffering, it may come to India immediately, avoid any form of cold drinks, ice creams, kulfi, etc, any type of preserved foods, milkshakes, rough ice, ice colas, milk sweets older then 48 hours, for at least 90 days from today.¡± So far, none of this has been proven true. ¡°But consume only boiled meat and milk for a few days as a precautionary measure. Purchase food from trusted and hygienic places. Opt for fresh produce and avoid stale food as far as possible,¡± says Dr Vijay Doshi, a general physician.

Myth 3. ¡°Bat flu¡± or ¡°Snake flu¡±?

Just after the outbreak was announced, a study published in the Journal of Medical Virology stated that the original source of the virus may have been two snake species, the Chinese Krait and the Chinese Cobra. Later, images and videos on WhatsApp and social media blamed the consumption of bat soup and live bats in the country for the illness. But so far, neither has been confirmed. Officials though did trace the outbreak to a market in Wuhan where both live animals and meat were sold.

AP

Myth 4. Thousands are dropping dead across China after being infected

Chances are you too have received videos of people suddenly collapsing dead at bus stations, train stations, markets and on roads in China after being infected by the coronavirus. A few videos go so far as to show mass graves being built in the country to bury the dead. This is completely untrue. So far, the official death toll in China is 132. And the video of the mass graves? It is a hospital being built in Wuhan at breakneck speed to quarantine those affected. It will reportedly be ready by February 3.

Myth 5. Wearing surgical face masks can prevent you from getting infected

Surgical masks have been flying off the shelves around the world ever since the outbreak was announced. But while these masks may help in preventing the spread of the virus in the form of droplets when an infected individual sneezes or coughs, they are not as useful in keeping the virus out. So unless you have travelled to China or come into contact with someone who has, there is no real reason to buy and wear one. Also, so far, the Health Ministry in India has not recommended wearing the mask in public.

AFP

Myth 6. The virus spreads only when you show the symptoms

Unlike SARS and Ebola, where people tend to become contagious only after the symptoms show, a person may not know that they are infected by the coronavirus and still spread it. Reportedly, in humans, the incubation period, during which a person has the disease but no symptoms yet, ranges from between one and 14 days. ¡°Wash your hands regularly with alcohol-based sanitisers. Avoid touching public spaces and then touching your face directly. This virus spreads just like the flu, through coughing, sneezing and respiratory droplets,¡± says Dr Doshi.

The author is a Mumbai-based freelancer.