The coronavirus has turned into quite a pandemic recently. Although it’s a serious matter, many are treating it like the end of the world. The stores have been wiped clean of household cleaners, soap, sanitizers, paper towels, toilet paper, and water, schools are closing, jobs are closing, and people are barricading themselves in their homes. Even Amazon is out-of-stock with almost everything mentioned.
The big question is though, why?
Well, some could say it’s because of all the rumors going around that make it out to be worse than it really is. Ever since the virus became mainstream, there have been a lot of myths that have popped up, especially when it comes to traveling, and people are frightened now.
Here are 12 myths about the coronavirus that we researched and found to not be true.
12 Traveling Around While Wearing Face Masks Can Protect You From The Virus
When news of the virus spreading first hit the media, people started buying every type of mask they could to help protect themselves from getting the virus while out in public or traveling.
Unfortunately, for those who spent a fortune on standard surgical masks, they do not lay flush to the face, so they can’t protect against the coronavirus. They can help a sick person from spreading it though.
11 It's Not Safe To Receive Packages From China
Many feel that because the virus originated in China, that anything traveling out of the country will carry the virus and infect others, sort of like travelers did who were already infected.
Based on what the World Health Organization has stated though, this is untrue, notes Livescience. Letters and packages coming from China are safe. Research has shown that the virus can’t live on objects like this.
10 You Can Get The Virus If You Eat At A Chinese Restaurant
People scare easily and when news spread that the virus came from China, they immediately started going after Chinese people, even those who live in America.
The fact of the matter is, just because a person is Chinese, doesn’t mean they automatically have it, nor will people catch it if they go to a Chinese food restaurant. In fact, anyone who believes that should also boycott Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Iranian restaurants.
9 It's More Dangerous To Americans Than The Flu
Many believe that the coronavirus is more dangerous than the flu.
While the mortality rate for the coronavirus has skyrocketed over the past few months, in all reality, the flu still has it beat. People are so focused on what is going on right now, they forget how many perish from the flu each year. In fact, since October 1st, thousands of people have perished from the flu, notes Travel & Leisure.
8 The Virus Escaped From A Chinese Lab & Traveled To Other Countries
Thanks to bloggers and news sites, there have been rumors that the virus is a man-made bioweapon that escaped from a Chinese lab.
This rumor has been debunked, says USA Today, and while there is researching still going on as to how it emerged, there are a few theories such as it originated in bats, who passed it to other animals, which the Chinese ate and bam, world-wide infection.
7 It's Solely A Travel Related Virus
We all know that the coronavirus first originated over in China and spread by people traveling in and out of the country, thus causing a worldwide outbreak.
Well, it is no longer a travel-related virus. It’s now a community spread virus, meaning people who came into contact with the unknown source can now spread it to whomever they come in contact with and so on.
6 You Can Only Get It From People That Are Traveling Around And Visibly Sick
Nowadays, many believe if someone looks sick, they have the virus.
What we forget to remember though is allergy season is upon us, on top of cold and flu season. Also, a person doesn’t have to be visibly sick to spread it. All they must do is come in contact or touch something someone infected touched and they can spread it to others, even without symptoms.
5 Head To The ER Immediately If You Think You Have It
Nowadays, when someone gets sick, their first instinct is to run to the emergency room because they might have the virus.
Don’t do this. Hospitals have their hands full as it is. Now with the virus, they are truly overwhelmed. They don’t need everyone coming in because they are sneezing or coughing. Call a primary doctor and get tested first, and remember, allergy season is among us.
4 But Also Make Sure To Avoid Going To The Doctor
People believe that when there is such a harmful bug or virus going around the best thing to do is avoid places where other sick people could be. Meaning, go ahead and cancel all medical office visits and avoid the hospital like the plague.
Don’t do this. In times like these, it’s imperative that people monitor their health and follow up with their physicians as scheduled.
Related: Air Crew Called For A Doctor, Not Realizing The U.S. Surgeon General Was On Board
3 Make Sure To Avoid The Public Water Supply While Traveling Because It's Contaminated
With the mass hysteria over the virus, bottled water has become a hot item that stores can’t keep on the shelves. Many believe that it’s because public sources are contaminated now and are spreading the virus.
This is false. There is no evidence that links the coronavirus being spread through the public water supply.
Related: As Of 2020, These Countries Have The Dirtiest Water
2 It Will Be Safe To Travel Again Soon Because It Will Be Gone By April
There has been talk that the virus dislikes warm weather and with spring right around the corner, it should disappear by April.
This is false. In fact, Nancy Meesonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, mentioned that while this is hopeful, it’s a premature thought and the world shouldn’t sit back and wait to see if it happens.
Related: World's Largest Underwater Restaurant, Set To Open In April, Is Now Taking Reservations
1 Traveling With A Beard Will Make You High-Risk For The Virus, Better To Shave It
Thanks to social media, there has been a CDC chart displaying different facial hair styles and recommending men shave their beards and mustaches to help prevent the spread of the virus while traveling and out in public.
This chart has nothing to do with the virus though. It was actually published back in 2017 as a way to show men what tight-sealing respirators would work best with their facial hair.
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