There are a number of questions and a certain amount of misinformation circulating among migrants about COVID-19. To help you make the right choices we’ve listed questions which contain the most commonly spread rumours and information from trusted sources about that rumour, so that you can stay informed and protect yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information and clarifications on common rumours circulating about COVID-19 visit the World Health Organization myth busting site.
One of the recurring rumours being spread online is that COVID-19 was engineered in a Chinese lab. This is false. Scientific evidence shows that the virus is naturally occurring. It originally came from animals and subsequently infected humans. According to a US study, the genome sequence proves that it is not man-made. Like most parts of the globe, China has also been badly affected by the virus.
There are rumours circulating on social media that COVID-19 is a hoax. Amongst the reasons that people deny the existence of the pandemic is the belief that the virus was created by China or Russia to grab more power and wealth. This claim is false – COVID-19 does exist. Scientific evidence proves that the virus originally came from animals and subsequently infected humans. Official statistics from the World Health Organization show that the virus has infected millions of people around the world.
Another theory is that COVID-19 cannot survive in warmer climates such as Africa. The World Health Organization says the virus can be transmitted anywhere, even countries with hot and humid weather. There has also been a surge in coronavirus cases in tropical countries including Saudi Arabia and much of Southeast Asia. There is also no evidence that exposing yourself to a prolonged period of sunlight kills the virus. Experts say temperatures have to be higher than 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill this virus.
Some people claim the COVID-19 pandemic is part of a government propaganda campaign to avoid paying peoples’ salaries and under invest in public services. In reality, COVID-19 has required governments around the world to invest heavily and become indebted in order to maintain wages, basic services and safe-guard healthcare. COVID-19 represents an existential threat to the global status quo as well as a risk to every single person’s health.
There is no evidence that herbal concoctions, such as garlic or drinking salt water, will cure COVID-19. While some herbal remedies can have other health benefits, there is currently no cure for COVID-19. The safest way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is by following advice from the World Health Organization including frequent hand washing and practicing social distancing
Injecting or drinking harmful substances such as bleach or methanol or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol does not kill the virus and can have serious consequences and even lead to death. For example, in Iran nearly 300 people died after becoming ill from drinking methanol amid false rumours that it can cure the virus. The safest way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is by following advice from the World Health Organization including frequent hand washing and practicing social distancing.
Face masks do not stop you from catching the virus but prevent the virus from spreading further by blocking droplets from coughs and sneezes. Many countries have made wearing face masks compulsory to slow the spread of the disease. Face masks play an important role in preventing the spread of the virus along with frequent hand washing and practicing social distancing.
COVID-19 is extremely serious and has a much higher mortality rate than the seasonal flu. Hundreds of thousands of people around the globe have died from COVID-19. While some people who catch the virus may experience mild or moderate symptoms, others experience severe symptoms including breathing difficulties and need to be hospitalised. Older people and those with respiratory systems are more at risk but COVID-19 can also affect younger people.
COVID-19 is extremely serious and has a higher mortality rate than the seasonal flu. Millions of people around the globe have died from COVID-19. While some people who catch the virus may experience mild or moderate symptoms, others experience severe symptoms including breathing difficulties and need to be hospitalised. Older people and those with respiratory systems are more at risk but COVID-19 can also affect younger people.
According to new evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO), the new strains of COVID-19 can be spread through the air in some settings, particularly in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor spaces. However, COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through droplets from coughs, sneezes and people talking or from droplets that settle on surface areas and spread through human contact.