You’ve probably heard as many of these myths as I have.  

True, if close contact occurs while not wearing all recommended PPE, healthcare personnel may be of risk of infection.  Having direct contact with infectious secretions from a patient with COVID-19 include sputum, serum, blood, and respiratory droplets.

Please take care and be safe.

 

Can coronavirus be transmitted through mosquito bites?  

To date, there has been no information or evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.  The coronavirus is a respiratory virus spread primarily through droplets generated by an infected person coughing, sneezing or droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.  

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the coronavirus?  

No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.

 

Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the new coronavirus? 

No, spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body.  Such substances can be harmful to clothes and mucous membranes.  They could be useful to disinfect surfaces.  

 

Does the new coronavirus affect older people or are younger people also susceptible? 

People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (nCoV-2019).  Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions appear to be more vulnerable.  

Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?

No.  Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV.  Clean your hands with an alcohol based hand rub or wash them with soap and water and then dry thoroughly by using paper towels.

 

Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus? 

No, Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.  

 

Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus? 

Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties.  However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

References:

• Center for Disease Control (CDC)

• Infection prevention control (IPC)

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Department Of Labor (DOL)

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

• World Health Organization (WHO)

• American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)

• National Institutes of Health (NIH