With the recent global pandemic of COVID-19, there has been an abundance of misinformation spreading. This is understandable. There is an underlying sense of panic everywhere, and we want to cling on to whatever can give us hope. Searching for hope and comfort is okay. However, in situations like this, it is essential to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. This is first and foremost. Spreading misinformation or fake news undoubtedly causes far more panic and damage than it helps. We have compiled a list of the most popular fake news/hoaxes that we have found and have investigated them to discover if they are FACT or FICTION. Read carefully, find reliable sources, even get in touch with ScienceGrrl Glasgow if you are unsure of something. Keep yourselves safe, wash your hands and stay at home.
The virus will disappear in summer, like flu does! – Fact or Fiction? NEITHER
Not necessarily. The reason for viruses and diseases having seasonality has been considered about for years and with it being difficult to properly research this concept has limited answers. Some diseases do have seasonality such as the flu but others don’t – such as rhinovirus. This is the scientific name for the common cold and it can affect people in both the summer and warmer months. With SARS-CoV-2 being a novel coronavirus there is no way to predict how it will react in the upcoming warmer months, therefore it is irresponsible to guarantee this. There are also cases occurring in warmer climates such as Australia which makes it unlikely that higher temperatures threaten the viruses survival.
The structure of viruses can aid their survival. Viruses have their genetic material (the coded instructions that make them who they are) secure in what we call a capsid. This is just a protein that holds this genetic information, much like a safe. The capsid in some viruses is then enveloped by lipids or fatty molecules, which can interact with our own cells and help mask viruses from our immune system! These envelopes can make them more sensitive to conditions such as temperature and disinfectant.
Research from the University of Edinburgh by virologist Sandeep Ramalingam analysed the seasonality of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. The results of this study indicated that enveloped viruses do tend to be more seasonal than non-enveloped viruses.
SARS-CoV-2 does have an envelope, but we stress that due to this being a novel virus, there is no way to know for sure how the hotter months will affect its infectivity.
Spraying the whole body with alcohol or chlorine (bleach) will kill the virus, or you can use vodka as hand sanitiser! – Fact or Fiction? FICTION
To gain entrance to your cells viruses need to undergo fusion. You can imagine this as a bouncer checking your ID. During a fusion, the outside of the cell and the virus come together and the virus changes its molecular shape irreversibly (passes their ID over, there is no going back now). Many viruses prefer specific pH environments for this.
In order to enter a cell, the virus must first attach to it. Proteins on the outside of the virus recognise tissue-specific receptors on the cell surface. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, these specific receptors are on the surface of the cells in the respiratory tract. Once the virus is attached to the cell it needs to gain access. It does this by changing shape and allowing the fusion of the cellular and viral membranes. This requires a low, acidic pH.
Bleach tends to be high on the alkaline scale which is the opposite of acidic. By using bleach to attempt to kill the virus you are not allowing the virus molecule to undergo that molecular change. Using a soap that is slightly more acidic would get rid of what we call virions (virus particles) which contain all the essentials for the virus to infect you. As well as this, bleach can cause irreversible skin damage and respiratory issues. We do not recommend spraying your body with bleach.
Soap and water are the best way to break down those lipids that make up the virus’ outer membrane and prevent infection! Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds more often and keep surfaces clean. The novel coronavirus can live from 24 – 72 hours depending on the type of surface it is. Soap is the most effective because it is able to open the virus’ exterior and degrade it. Using soap allows these degraded virus fragments to be trapped which are washed away by water. Hand sanitisers work in a similar way. There is currently no evidence that the virus can be transmitted via food.
Sipping warm water every 15 minutes will wash the virus from the mouth into the stomach, where it will be killed by stomach acid before it can infect you – Fact or Fiction? FICTION
Unfortunately, it would not be easy to stop the virus. The reason for this is by the time the virus reaches your mouth the microscopic droplets would have more than likely also reached your nostrils or eyes. As well as this, even if you could capture virus molecules and attempt to wash them down to your stomach, it is highly unlikely you would be able to capture all of them. It only takes 1 viron to enter a cell to initiate an infection.
It can be treated with chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine – Fact or Fiction? NO EVIDENCE
As of the time of writing this article (01/04/2020), there are no cures or treatments for COVID-19. The drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are actually anti-malarial drugs. Malaria is a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes. Just like bacteria, parasites are very different from viruses and cannot necessarily be treated using the same drugs.
Typically before a drug is used to treat patients it must go through numerous stages of clinical trials and testing. This is to ensure that a drug will a) effectively treat the patients b) is completely safe for human consumption, or the benefits outweigh potential side effects and c) there is no other alternative that does the same job as well.
Every medication has side effects. Some adverse effects to these medicines are retinopathy which is irreversible (eye damage) and neurological disturbances.
This is not to say that there is no potential for these drugs to work. Antimalarials have been known to have SOME antiviral properties. However, it cannot be claimed that it CAN be treated with them as there is simply very little to no evidence for this. Clinical trials can take 4-9 years which is not ideal in the midst of a global pandemic, but it is important to also remain vigilant and look at the facts. Wash your hands for 20 seconds and stay a safe social distance to prevent infection.
Different companies and researchers are working quickly to research treatments and potentially create a vaccine.
If you can hold your breath for 10 seconds then you’re not infected – FACT OR FICTION? – Fiction
Symptoms of coronavirus can be very different from person to person. Not everyone will develop shortness of breath or pneumonia-like symptoms! Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds with minimal discomfort or struggle implies that you are not experiencing “shortness of breath”. This is a symptom of COVID-19. However, if you are experiencing other symptoms we strongly encourage you to check your symptoms on the NHS website or potentially dial 111 as checking one symptom (shortness of breath) is not a guarantee that you do not have COVID-19. Please do not leave your home and self isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or someone in your household does.
Breathing in hot air from a hairdryer will kill the virus – FACT OR FICTION – Extremely fiction!
This won’t kill the virus but it will harm you. The lining of your nose and throat are very sensitive tissues and using hot air may burn these. This is potentially dangerous and we highly recommend you do not try this.
The virus is caused by 5G signals – FACT OR FICTION? – FICTION!
5G is a new form of wireless technology designed to improve the speed and efficiency of our communications. Wireless technology typically works on the radio wave section of the electromagnetic scale. This means these waves do not damage DNA in our cells and only produce non-ionising radiation. Ionising radiation can pinch electrons from materials which can be harmful to humans. Radiowaves are not part of this.
There is no scientific evidence to back up any claims that 5G networks are responsible for the spread of the novel SARS-CoV-19 coronavirus as it is spreading regardless of the availability of 5G in other countries.
Taking a hot bath will kill the virus – FACT OR FICTION? – FICTION
While taking a hot bath with soap will help keep you clean and even relax you during these anxious, troubling times, there is no evidence that hot water will kill the virus. Scientific equipment in labs called autoclaves, which are almost big ovens to sterilise equipment, can kill the virus. These machines operate at 100 degrees Celsius or higher. A bath that hot would not be comfortable! There is no evidence to suggest that the novel coronavirus is sensitive to heat as of yet, therefore, it may not have an effect at all.
You can use vodka as hand sanitiser- FACT OR FICTION? – FICTION
It is a common misconception that in a ‘pinch’ alcohol such as vodka can be used as a disinfectant. This stems from the fact that alcohol is the main ingredient in most hand sanitisers. So why is it that alcohol in hand sanitizer kills viruses but your everyday vodka does not?
Alcohol can kill microbes by a process of protein breakdowns called denaturation. Some viruses and bacteria are more susceptible to alcohol than others. This is because of the outer proteins of the bacteria or virus, for instance, alcohol is more effective at killing enveloped viruses compared to non-enveloped. This means to effectively kill almost all bacteria and viruses alcohol of at least 60% is required. As most drinking alcohol (including vodka!) only goes up to 40%, this is too low to kill all microbes. So if you run out of hand sanitiser, don’t reach for the vodka. Instead, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water to be truly safe against infection!
Did we cure coronavirus in 2015 – FACT OR FICTION? – PARTIAL FACT. WE CURED A DIFFERENT STRAIN OF CORONAVIRUS. NOT SARS-COV-2. THIS IS DIFFERENT.
To begin it is important to understand the current coronavirus pandemic is caused by an entirely new strain of coronavirus. This means past coronavirus outbreaks were not caused by the novel virus SARS-CoV-2 (causing the disease COVID-19). Past outbreaks of SARS and MERS in 2015, were caused by entirely different strains of coronaviruses with their own features, life cycle, disease manifestation and treatments. Currently, there are no known vaccines or cures for COVID-19. Being part of the same viral family means the viruses may have some things in common but they are not identical.
Currently, scientists across the globe are working to understand coronavirus, develop drugs to treat COVID-19 and create vaccines to develop immune protection against the virus. Clinical trials are already underway, testing the safety and efficacy of potential vaccines. Unfortunately, even with fast-tracking, it is likely to be months before treatment or vaccine is developed. Therefore the best way to protect yourself from coronavirus is to limit potential exposure to the virus. This includes social distancing, isolating yourself if you exhibit potential symptoms and to maintain cleanliness ( including washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds).