As public fear over the coronavirus grows, all kinds of formulas for escaping it have spread.
Look at social media such as Facebook and you will see thousands of such tips and theories every day that have no scientific basis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned people about some of these misconceptions.
Hot weather will not kill the virus
It is true that many infectious diseases, especially flu, are more common in the winter months. When the coronavirus first spread in China in December it was quite cold there, and many of the countries it later ravaged have cold climates. So a common belief has formed that the virus will die when the hot weather comes. Some studies have also found that the new coronavirus survives for a shorter time in warm weather.
But the WHO says that because the virus is new, it is not yet possible to say for certain that it cannot survive in hot, humid weather. On the contrary, the evidence scientists have so far shows that the Covid-19 virus can spread anywhere, in any weather.
So, the WHO says, even when it is hot you should take every precaution: avoid contact with people, wash your hands often and do not touch your eyes, mouth or ears.
Snow, hot baths and garlic
Many people in cold countries think the coronavirus will not survive heavy snow. Wrong. However hot or cold it is outside, your body's normal temperature is 36.5 to 37 degrees Celsius. So don't be misled; take precautions.
Taking a hot bath alone cannot prevent Covid-19 infection, and bathing in very hot water can even do harm. It is washing your hands with soap, not a hot bath, that can keep the virus away.
Social media is full of advice to eat garlic to ward off the virus. But the WHO says this is not true. Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties, but there is no scientific evidence at all that it works against the new coronavirus.
People of any age can be infected with the new coronavirus. It is true that older people and those with conditions such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes are more severely affected, but younger people can be infected just the same.
Source: BBC Bangla. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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