Page 16 - MLITE_114_Marcheb

16 TRENDING NOW

MYTHS BUSTED
MYTHS BUSTED
MYTHS BUSTED
MYTHS BUSTED
MYTHS BUSTED

Be the one to stop these health myths going viral!top these health myths going viral!
Be the one to s
BY ASHIMA SETHI & AIDEN JEWELLE GONZALES

hen diseases go viral, so do the misinformation
memes. In these trying times where we’re
Whaunted by paranoia and fake news, who you

gonna call? The Masala Mythbusters of course! We’re
here to set the record straight.

1 FACE MASKS WILL PROTECT YOU

Debunked: The BTS may be bristling with face masks, but what do they do besides blocking
your Face ID? Johns Hopkins Medicine says that surgical masks are mostly ineffective as
they’re too loose. However, it’s recommended you wear them if you’re sick as they can prevent
transmission to others. Tightly-fitting N-95 masks are a better option but make sure to dispose
of them after use. Regardless, wear your mask the right way – that WhatsApp image going viral
about wearing your mask inside-out won’t protect your face and will, in fact, make you lose
2 face in front of those in the know.

PETS AND OTHER ANIMALS CAN SPREAD COVID-19
Debunked: Love in the time of coronavirus is tough – not only do we worry about our friends
and family, but our furry family members as well. Recently, a rumoured story surfaced about
a dog in Hong Kong testing ‘weak positive’ for COVID-19 but the situation remains under
investigation. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) pets and animals can’t
be infected with the same strain of coronavirus that affects humans, so the disease can’t be
passed on from us to them or vice versa. However, just to be safe, always wash your hands
3 before and after interacting with your pets.

THERMAL SCANNERS CAN DETECT COVID-19
Debunked: Electronic thermal scanners may give us a warm feeling of comfort (without that
actual warm feeling) but all they do is detect people with high temperatures. According to the
WHO, it takes between 2-10 days for those infected to develop a fever, and the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have said that many infected have shown “little
to no symptoms.” The lesson is, always take proper precautions and avoid crowds if possible.
4 IT’S NOT SAFE TO RECEIVE LETTERS OR PACKAGES FROM CHINA

Debunked: the WHO have declared that receiving letters or packages from a COVID-19 hot
zone will not put you at risk of contracting the illness. From their analysis, the virus cannot
survive long on objects, so no, you do not have to overthink your online orders from platforms
like Lazada, Shopee, and Alibaba.
5 HOME REMEDIES CAN HELP PREVENT INFECTION 7 COVID-19 IS A DEATH SENTENCE
Debunked: Despite the scaremongering being carried out by
mainstream media, it’s estimated that 81 percent of people
infected with the illness will only experience mild symptoms,
Debunked: Do not believe the Whatsapp blasts you’ve received from paranoid relatives Do not believe the Whatsapp blasts you’ve received from paranoid relatives
and only 2.3 percent of people will die from the virus. People
with
with ‘scientifically proven home remedies’ that can fight COVID-19. Although raw garlic has ‘scientifically proven home remedies’ that can fight COVID-19. Although raw garlic has
antimicrobial properties, there’s no evidence that this pungent herb will protect timicrobial properties, there’s no evidence that this pungent herb will protect
an
most at risk remain those with underlying health conditions
you. Similarly, slathering sesame and coconut oil on your skin will not kill the
that can lead to complications.
you. Similarly, slathering sesame and coconut oil on your skin will not kill the
virus, and rinsing your nose and gargling with salt water isn’t going to help
virus, and rinsing your nose and gargling with salt water isn’t going to help
either. Sorry!
6 6 ANTIBIOTICS ARE EFFECTIVE TIPS:
Debunked: Antibiotics only work against bacteria and are ineffective against viruses of any kind.
As COVID-19 is a virus, antibiotics are useless as a means of prevention or treatment. There is
Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently
currently no over-the-counter medication available that can treat the illness, so those who
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
experience severe symptoms should visit the hospital for appropriate care. Clinical trials for
If you’re falling sick, isolate yourself and seek medical care early
a vaccine are currently underway, but experts have yet to announce when we can expect one.
Be critical of the news you hear and read, a lot of the information can
be easily misinterpreted
The worst thing to come out of the outbreak is the rise in racism and
xenophobia. Remember, fear of COVID-19 is no excuse to discriminate

MAS AL A LITE ISSUE 114 MAR CH 2 02 0