Corona virus spread: Facts and myths about staying safe

Following the recent lockdown implemented by the Cameroon government to limit the spread of the corona virus, many have expressed doubts regarding the measures to take.

Sehkanyuy Jadwiga, a Master’s degree holder in Public health has some advice for us:

As the world battles with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, there has been an increasing output of misinformation regarding the disease.

As a result, I decided to do a research on facts about the disease. This is with hopes that it guides you to adhere to medically proven methods of effective prevention. In this series, we will look at facts including and hoaxes with respect to the virus.

1) Eating Garlic will keep you safe from the infection (NOT TRUE)
Even though some vegetables have been known to strengthen body immunity, there is no cause to believe that the body’s immune system will subsequently be made strong enough to effectively protect the body against infections. Garlic as well as other vegetables with strong aroma and taste has not been medically proven to prevent coronavirus infections.

2) There is presently no cure for COVID-19 (TRUE)

According to the World Health Organization, there is currently no cure for coronavirus. A vaccine is on the process of being developed. As such, only effective preventive methods are encouraged to avoid getting infected.

3) The incubation period for the virus is as long as 24days. (TRUE)

Incubation period is the time between which a virus gets into someone’s body and when they start showing symptoms that they have the virus. That is, when the virus has developed into a disease. This means coronavirus can get into your body on the 1st of February and you finally get sick on the 24th of February. This time is very different for something like common cold (catarrh), which is between 3-5 days.

4) People in their incubation period can still infect others. (TRUE)

Some viruses cannot jump from one person to the other during their incubation period. This is however not the case with coronavirus. If someone got infected on the 1st of February, they can likely infect the next person as early as on the 2nd of February.

5) Sunbathing, drinking hot water, drinking spirits and high volumes of alcohol can kill the coronavirus (FALSE)

The coronavirus can be killed by temperatures of about 56 degree Celsius which is hotter than the heat from the sun and also hotter than the hot water we can drink. Moreover, the virus infects the lungs and not the stomach. When we drink and eat, the food goes to the stomach. When we breathe, the air goes to the lungs. Even though alcohol has an effect on coronavirus outside the human body, drinking alcohol wouldn’t meet the virus for food or water can’t enter the lungs.

6) Prevention against coronavirus is easy but requires commitment to hygiene (TRUE)

The virus can enter our bodies through the mouth, eye, nose and ears. Therefore preventive methods include
– Avoiding crowds,
– Washing your hands frequently with soap for not less than 30 seconds,
– Avoid touching your face,
– Closing the toilet seats when flushing,
– Covering our mouths when sneezing
– Wearing surgical masks (Not all masks can protect against coronavirus) Avoid masks that have recently been sewn from loincloth or wax material for they may increase your likelihood of getting a bacterium infection.
– Avoid urinating by the road sides
– Keep your shoes outside the house or wash them with soap when you come home from outside
– Wash your clothes or hang them outside when you return home
– Ventilate your home as often as possible
– Uphold very high standards of hygiene.

7) Coronavirus in faeces and pets (TRUE). It Can be transmitted from pets to humans and through the fecal oral route (NOT PROVEN YET)

This virus has been detected in fecal matter as well as in home pets. It’s no known pets (Domesticated animals) can subsequently infect humans but people are advised to avoid very close contact with pets in environments with very high infections. The sewage system especially in residential areas is often interconnected, therefore, if you live in the same apartment building with people who are suspected of having this disease, always close your toilet seats before flushing also spray and disinfect the bathroom often.

8) Central Air Conditioning Can Spread the Virus (TRUE)

There is an increased likelihood of spread of coronavirus among people who live or work in a building with central air conditioning.

9) Do not spray alcoholic disinfectant in the air to kill the virus (TRUE)

Alcohol is very inflammable, in as much as this act wouldn’t kill the virus in the air, it may cause a fire if this is done near a flame.

10) Disposable face masks can be disinfected and reused (NOT TRUE)

They are called disposable for a reason and their interaction with your breathing in and out when first worn could reduce their protective ability. It is not known how much microorganisms get attached to a facemask when worn. Disposable facemasks are to be properly removed by pinching their strings behind the ears and making sure your hands do not touch the facial surface. They are to be properly disposed off. If you however use a mask that can be washed, dip it into soapy water as soon as it is taken off and wash it.

Material written here even though not referenced for the sake of the people being targeted is not the original research work of the writer, but just a summary of what medical experts have proven true. We hope it will be helpful to you.

Thanks