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Posted on March 31, 2020

Luxor Nursing and Rehab at Mills Pond Dispelling Social Media Coronavirus Myths

With information about coronavirus taking over every form of media, it’s difficult to know what’s accurate and what’s not. When you take social media into account, the best piece of advice is to check the source of the information.

Make sure it’s accurate and from a reliable source before you hit that share button.

There are plenty of examples of bogus information out there. Luxor Nursing and Rehab at Mills Pond would like to refer to this article to help dispel some of those myths.

MYTH: Hot Liquids

A video featuring a woman with an Australian accent talks about how taking a sip of warm water every 20 minutes, along with drinking plenty of hot liquids overall, will help kill the virus. She said this is because the hot liquids wash the virus out of your mouth and into your stomach, where acids neutralize it.

Doctors say this isn’t the case because the path the virus takes through the respiratory system has nothing to do with the digestive system. Drinking hot beverages can help soothe and relieve symptoms, but it will not kill the virus.

MYTH: Garlic

Garlic is another home remedy going around social media. According to the World Health Organization, garlic is healthy and does have antimicrobial properties, but it will not cure COVID-19.

MYTH: Hand Dryers

This rumor states that hand dryers generate enough heat to kill off the virus. The WHO says washing your hands in warm water and soap will kill the virus, but a hand dryer itself will not do the trick.

MYTH: Hold Your Breath Test

While some people face long delays in being tested, people are looking for a sure-fire way to tell if they have coronavirus. One report said if you could not hold your breath for 10 seconds, you could have the bug. But this is another social media claim that just isn’t true.

What Works?

Health officials say washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer made from at least 60-percent alcohol, and avoiding touching your face are three things you can do to help prevent the spread of not only coronavirus, but any bugs or germs.
