The spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 first caused widespread concern, and then turned into many false theories. Here are the most common ones.
Read to the end to get the most useful information.
“Spreading false theories about coronavirus can be as dangerous as the disease itself,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
1. Only the elderly are sick with coronavirus
COVID-19 affects people of all ages. It is true that older people are especially susceptible to infection, as they have a weaker immune system and underlying medical conditions. However, the virus threatens everyone.
According to the latest figures released by the US government agency affiliated with the Department of Health and social services, young people between the ages of 20 and 29 in the United States accounted for 20% of all those infected in June, July and August 2020 of the year. This is the highest percentage among all age groups.
2. Wearing a mask does not protect against coronavirus
Wearing a mask is necessary for two reasons. First, it is not always known whether someone is infected with COVID-19, since the carrier of the infection may not show symptoms. The mask limits the spread of the virus.
Secondly, the virus is transmitted not only by contact with an infected surface, but also spreads through the air. Dr. Anthony Fauci, an expert in infectious diseases, emphasizes that 45-50% of people get infected from patients with asymptomatic disease.
Masks protect healthy people from infection that a person can get from coughing, sneezing, or even breathing. Some studies show that the N95 mask reduces the amount of droplets a person breathes by 90%. However, valve face masks that leak unfiltered air should be avoided.
3. Coronavirus can only be contracted after close contact with a human carrier
COVID-19 can be contracted not only through direct contact with a contaminated surface or an infected person, but also through the air. When sneezing, coughing, talking loudly or singing, droplet particles remain in the air for a long time and cover a distance of more than 2.5 meters. Therefore, it is safer to be outdoors, and not in closed rooms where there is no air recirculation.
4. Coronavirus is the same as influenza
Both influenza and coronavirus cause respiratory viruses. These diseases have similar symptoms: fever, fever, fatigue, and cough. What sets them apart is the death rate. In the case of coronavirus, people under 50 have a low probability of death, but already for those over 50, it is 0.5%, and for those over 70, it is 5.4%. The overall risk of death from influenza is 0.1%.
5. Everyone can get vaccinated this winter
Any speculation about when the vaccine will hit the market is dubious. However, even the introduction of vaccinations does not mean that wearing masks and other protective measures against COVID-19, such as washing hands, avoiding public gatherings, can be avoided. Moreover, the emergence of a vaccine does not guarantee that it will be enough for everyone at once.
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