Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: SARS-CoV-2 is a man-made virus

Research has shown no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 was made in a laboratory. The virus most likely transmitted from an animal source to humans like previous coronaviruses, because SARS-CoV2 is highly similar in structure to coronaviruses found in bats (Zhou et al., 2020). A lab-made human coronavirus would probably be made using the backbone of another human coronavirus (e.g. SARS). The backbone of SARS-CoV-2 is different from these human coronaviruses, and is closest to coronaviruses from bats and pangolins, suggesting that it evolved naturally. Computer modelling would also be used in making a lab-made virus by predicting viral proteins that would bind the strongest to human cells. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds strongly to the human ACE2 receptor but computer modelling underestimates how well it binds. This suggests that another structure with better binding according to computer modelling would have be used to design a man-made virus (Andersen et al., 2020).

Myth: COVID-19 is caused by 5G 

5G is a type of wireless network technology, used to connect mobile devices like phones to the internet. It is the 5^th generation of the technology, coming after 4G. 5G works using radio waves which is a low-frequency form of radiation. There is no scientific evidence showing that 5G and other mobile network signals are harmful to humans as they are currently used (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, 2020). COVID-19 and its symptoms have been shown scientifically to be caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 (Zhou et al., 2020). 

Myth: Injecting or drinking disinfectant can cure COVID-19

Disinfectants are known to kill SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces (Chin et al., 2020). Disinfection of surfaces could help to limit the transmission of COVID-19 by preventing SARS-CoV-2 from being transferred from surfaces to the body. However, disinfectants are very toxic to humans, causing organ failure and even death (Rahmani et al., 2012; Verma et al., 2013; Slaughter et al., 2014), and should never be ingested. There is currently no known cure for COVID-19 and treatment is based on relieving symptoms and providing breathing support if needed. 

Myth: UV light can cure COVID-19

There does not appear to be any published studies on the effects of UV light against SARS-CoV-2 but it has been shown to kill other coronaviruses on surfaces (Darnell et al., 2004). In the same way as disinfectants, inactivating SARS-CoV-2 using UV light could help prevent its transmission from surfaces to the body. The effects of UV light against viruses on surfaces does not suggest that this would be effective in the body; there is no evidence that these can cure COVID-19. UV light is also harmful to the body because it damages DNA, resulting in sunburn in the short term and cancer in the long term (Trucco et al., 2018).

Myth: Drinking water every 15 minutes prevents COVID-19 infection

SARS-CoV-2 is thought to spread primarily through inhaling respiratory droplets and contact with the face after touching contaminated surfaces (WHO, 2020d). It is important to drink water regularly to stay hydrated, especially when suffering from a fever which can increase the loss of fluids from the body, although there is no evidence that drinking regularly would flush the virus away from the respiratory tract to stop COVID-19 infection (Shankar et al., 2020). Social distancing, respiratory hygiene and hand washing are important measures to prevent transmitting the virus (Turner, 2005; Ferguson et al., 2020). 

Myth: Eating garlic or lemon can prevent coronavirus

Garlic and lemon have been shown to have some antimicrobial properties (El-Saber et al., 2020; Oikeh et al., 2016) but there have been no studies on the ability of garlic to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 or treat COVID-19 (Shankar et al., 2020).

Myths Resources

WHO (2020) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Advice for the Public: Myth Busters [Online] Available from:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-f... [Accessed 07/04/2020].

• Common myths surrounding COVID-19 and why they are not true. Includes downloadable graphics.