Five misconceptions about coronavirus

Photo: MTI/Varga György

When the coronavirus first hit, there was a lot of misinformation floating around about at-home tests and remedies. As time passes, some have disappeared, but new ones keep replacing them. Here are some of the major misconceptions about the pandemic.

Drinking water and gargling with vinegar help kill the virus

Many posts circulate on Facebook, claiming that staying hydrated, keeping your throat moist will help kill the virus. Some others even suggest gargling with water and salt or vinegar. While drinking lots and staying hydrated is important, it will not kill the virus. Drinking will not wash it from your throat, and gargling – whether it is with warm water or vinegar – will not cure it either. However, the latter may help relieve symptoms, as it does with the flu and sore throats, according to the Snopes.

Everyone should wear face masks

As masks started selling out, many took to making their own at home. Medical experts have said before that healthcare workers and those who have been infected – or think they have – need to wear masks. The Hungarian Chief Medical Officer stated on Thursday’s press conference that masks alone do not stop the spread of the virus, and people need to follow hygiene rules. However, if you do decide to wear a mask, please do not overuse it, and if it is homemade, make sure to wash it regularly and to iron it on high temperature.

Alcohol helps kill the virus

Hungarians are firm believers that pálinka can cure anything. Many others across the world have tried to self-medicate by drinking alcohol, and some even spray themselves with alcohol to kill the virus. However, please do not do that. Alcohol will not kill the virus on surfaces, and there is no evidence that suggests that drinking it would help either. Neither does spraying bleach on yourself to “disinfect”. In fact, it might do more harm than good.

Eating garlic prevents catching the virus

WHO has stated that, just like alcohol, consuming garlic will not prevent nor cure the coronavirus.

Warm weather will end the spreading of the virus

Influenza is most common during the fall and winter, and many have assumed that COVID-19 will die down as warmer weather approaches as well. However, the number of infected people rises in many countries where the weather is warm right now. WHO has stated that the virus can spread in spite of weather conditions.