Coronavirus: Myths and Facts | hioscar Blog | Oscar
Coronavirus: Myths and Facts
We’ve got the latest information on what you need to know—and some myths you should ignore.
General HealthCOVID-19 Resources
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We’ve got the latest information on what you need to know—and some myths you should ignore.
As the new coronavirus continues to spread, it’s important to reduce risk by educating yourself and your family about the facts. (After all, knowing the facts can help reduce anxiety.) There’s plenty of conflicting, misleading, and confusing information out there, with false rumors and bad advice spreading all the time. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) described this as an “infodemic.”
It’s hard to know what’s true and what isn’t. We’re here to help.
Myth #1: “I’m sick. I must have coronavirus.”
Not necessarily. With allergy season upon us, it may seem harder to tell allergy symptoms apart from possible coronavirus infection. Much like cold and flu symptoms, the signs can seem very similar. However, coronavirus can cause a fever; allergies cannot. Also, coronavirus is extremely contagious; seasonal allergies, not at all. And allergies can cause itchy eyes, nose, and throat; COVID-19 typically does not.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough, which may appear 2-14 days after exposure, according to the CDC. Some people have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or diarrhea, or no initial symptoms at all. If you’re experiencing emergency symptoms, such as being unable to complete a sentence without gasping for air, or shortness of breath with lips turning blue, call 911.
Myth #2: “Coronavirus is airborne, so you can catch it that way, too.”
We know the new coronavirus can spread rapidly between people, but experts don’t entirely agree about whether it can travel through the air. There is also uncertainty about the factors involved—outdoor vs. indoor; temperature, UV, and wind conditions; length of time before respiratory droplets evaporate; and so on.
"While your risk of catching COVID19 outdoors in very brief encounters, such as passing someone on the street, is very low, I tend to be cautious and still recommend staying 6-feet away from others while outside your home,” says Dr. Stephanie Camaglia Reznick, M.D., a trusted Oscar network virtual care provider. “If you are out on a walk or a run and someone is coming close to you, cross the street if possible to avoid breaking the 6-feet rule."
Regardless, you know the deal: stay home as much as you can. Don’t touch your face. Go out for exercise or essential errands—but always maintain at least six feet of distance from others, and wear a face mask. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, including (and especially) right when you get home after being outdoors.
Myth #3: “When I go outside, any face covering will do.”
First, please leave the medical masks (such as N95s) to the medical professionals who desperately need them. Otherwise, a face mask of some kind—such as a disposable or homemade cloth mask—is better than nothing for decreasing the viral spread of droplets. But if you wear your face mask incorrectly, it’s useless. So: please don’t pull it up or down while you’re out. Don’t wear it below your nose or expose your chin. (And don’t wear it so it covers only the tip of your nose.) Do make sure your face mask comes all the way up, close to the bridge of your nose, and that it fits snugly around your face, without any gaps. And remember to combine this habit with social distancing and frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially right after removing the mask upon returning home.
Myth #4: “My kids and pets are immune to coronavirus.”
Adults have made up the majority of known cases to date. Based on the evidence so far, children have a much lower risk for coronavirus than adults—but they are not immune. (So if you don’t have any symptoms, feel free to hug your kids—and please do!)
As for pets, it’s a good idea to wash hands vigorously with soap and water after touching or playing with them, every time, just to be safe. And if you do get sick, follow the CDC isolation protocol by staying away from kids and pets if possible.
Myth #5: “I’ve heard about preventative COVID-19 treatments, prescriptions, and supplements, and even test kits I can order online.”
Because COVID-19 has never been seen in humans before, there are no prescription drugs or supplements—and there’s no vaccine yet. Any treatments at this point are strictly experimental, and potentially harmful. Also, the FDA warns against buying unauthorized test kits sold online, which can yield false results.
Vitamin C and other supposedly immune-boosting supplements won’t protect you from coronavirus. And there are no effective home remedies, whether essential oils, garlic, or anything else you may have read about. Among the false rumors are that sipping water every 15 minutes prevents COVID-19; hand dryers kill COVID-19; and that if you can hold your breath for 10 seconds, it means you don’t have COVID-19. These myths are completely false and potentially dangerous. Please ignore them.
Myth #6: “Mosquito bites spread COVID-19.”
As the weather warms up and more people spend time in their backyards, it’s reasonable to ask: if a mosquito bites an infected person and then lands on me, can I catch the new coronavirus? Being bitten by a mosquito is very unpleasant—and it’s always good to wear bug repellent to avoid catching other kinds of infections—but mosquitoes cannot spread COVID-19. The new coronavirus is not a blood-born infection, which is what mosquitoes transmit when they bite people.
Myth #7: “I’ve had coronavirus. Now I’m immune.”
The jury is still out on this one, so assume that you’re not. At this point, there is no way to know for sure—and even if it were true, no one knows how long that immunity would last. So just to be safe, continue to take all precautions recommended by the CDC against spread.
Because this situation is ever-shifting, we simply don’t have all the answers yet. The myths continue to spread—no, the coronavirus did not come from bat soup!—so it’s a good idea to keep yourself well informed. (Viral posts on social media are not the way to do that.) The CDC (opens in new tab) website is an official source of information on the outbreak, as is the WHO (opens in new tab) website.
Meanwhile, the best practice remains the same: staying home, washing your hands frequently with soap and water, practicing social distancing, and wearing a face mask outdoors. (Also, don’t touch your face.) Try to get enough sleep and exercise, and minimize stress during this challenging time.
You can always take advantage of our self-serve resources (opens in new tab), including personalized risk-assessment, prescription resources, and the guidance of your Care Team.
We’ll keep you updated on the latest tips for staying healthy and safe—and we’re always here to support you.
This content does not constitute medical advice and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, including diagnosis or treatment. Contact your physician with any questions you may have regarding COVID-19 or your personal health. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
