One minute read, Written by Nayantara Singh – a grade 5 student.

Coronavirus, or COVID -19 is a serious scare. It is happening all over the world, and new cases are being discovered as you read this.

All over the news, and on social media people are posting and writing about the many precautions that we can take to prevent this virus.

But has it yet occurred to you, how many precautions of these actually help? Well, the truth is not many.

Here are some myths that you should be careful of.
 
1. Taking hot baths helps

Hot baths do not help Coronavirus, and if the water is too hot you’ll just end up getting burnt!

2. Eating garlic fights Coronavirus

Though it is said, on many social media platforms, that eating garlic helps to prevent the virus, it actually does not. WHO, the World Health Organization, has clarified that while garlic might have antimicrobial properties, it has not been proven to prevent Coronavirus. Antimicrobial means something that kills microorganisms, which are tiny things in our bodies that have bacteria and many other bad diseases.

 3. Receiving a package from China can give you Coronavirus

Receiving a package from China or a country where the virus is rapidly spreading is not dangerous at all. It has been proven that the virus does not stay long on objects.

4. Taking Antibiotics helps

Taking antibiotics to prevent this virus does not help. Antibiotics only work on bacteria, not viruses. You are unnecessarily putting chemicals in your body.

 5. Pets spread the virus

No they don’t. If you have a pet, don’t worry – they do not spread Coronavirus! There is no evidence on this. But, it’s always good to wash your hands after touching your pet.

6. Drinking water every 15 minutes fights the virus

 Although drinking water is generally a good idea, there is no scientific evidence that doing this washes down the virus.

7. Holding your breath for 10 seconds

A lot of people say that if you can hold your breath for 10 seconds without coughing or choking, then you don’t have Coronavirus. Whereas, the truth is that you might still have the virus if you can do this – in which case you won’t go to the doctor and that is worse!

8. The virus will die in the summer

A lot of people are saying that the virus will die in the summer. There is no proven research on how this virus will react in summers. It is unlikely that it will die, as it is already present in hot countries like Singapore and Australia.

So, now you are aware of some of the ‘myths’ around Coronavirus. Don’t blindly believe all you read. Just remember to keep washing your hands with soap and water or alcohol hand rub. Sanitizers work as well, but are not as effective.