Having been in the media arena for several decades I am still amazed at how much false and misleading things are shared to and by the public. The current so called COVID-19 event has refreshed my memory on how easy false information is put out and the likelihood the public will take it for gospel.
I have taken a quite a bit of time to look up some of the seemingly, well at least possibly, items being spread as fact that just is not true.
What follows is based on information I have gathered thru The World Health Organization, the CDC and John Hopkins University School of Medicine.
So, let’s look at some facts…
FACT: No matter your race, color or ethnicity this disease can make you sick!
FACT: For most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 is thought to be low. Now, this does not mean you should ignore the warnings and not take care of who you are around or take protective measures to protect yourself. Also, if you are an “older adult or have other serious medical conditions” you could be at a higher risk of the disease.
The University of Alabama suggests the best way to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is through basic hygienic methods.
FACT: There are simple things you can do to help protect yourself and those around you. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially true after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. (I can tell you this is not easy. My wife and I counted 37 times I touched these areas in less than five (5) minutes!
STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK!
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
FACT: You can help stop COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms: Fever. Cough. Shortness of breath. Seek medical advice if you develop these symptoms! AND If you been in contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.
Now, I know this will be hard to believe, there are some untruths (aka myths, aka lies) going around about this disease.
According to Lisa Maragakis, MD, senior director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins University, there are a few things we hear that are true, as well as, a few that are false. Here are a few of those items:
A vaccine to cure COVID-19 is available…FALSE! There is no vaccine at this time.
You can protect yourself from COVIS-19 by swallowing or gargling with bleach, taking acetic acid or steroids, or using essential oils, salt water, ethanol or other substances. FALSE! None of these recommendations protects you from gtting COVID-19, actually, some of these practices may be very dangerous! Again, Washing your hands frequently, using soap and hot water and avoiding close contact with people who are sick, sneezing or coughing are better. Oh, you can help avoid spreading germs by coughing into the crook of your elbow and staying home when you are sick.
The coronavirus was deliberately created or released by people. FALSE! Folks, over time viruses can change. As we all know, a disease outbreak happens when a virus that is common in an animal (such as a pig, bat or bird) undergoes changes and decides to visit us humans. This is likely how the new coronavirus came into existence.
Ordering or buying products shipped from China will make a person sick. FALSE! According to Johns Hopkins, researchers are studying the new coronavirus to learn more about how it infects humans. When reading about this research it was noted viruses like this one do not stay alive very long on surfaces, so it is not likely you or I would get COVID-19 from a package that has been in transit for days or weeks. Now, they do say more reach is being done daily on this matter.
Now, for a biggie! A face mask will protect you from COVID-19. FALSE and TRUE! Certain models of PROFESSIONAL, tight fitting respirators (such as the N95) can protect health care workers as they care for infected patients. As far as the general public is concerned, wearing the lightweight disposable surgical masks you see being worn in department stores, grocery stores, etc they are useless! They do not fit tightly nor correctly. As I witnessed just a couple a days ago, even if they were to be of some help, they become useless when you stick your finger under the mask to scratch an itch!
So, bottom line... LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS! Then take it to heart and use the information you get!
Bill Pickle is a regular columnist for The Standard and host of In the Pickle Barrel weekdays.
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