CMAAO IMA HCFI CORONA MYTH BUSTER 15

CMAAO IMA HCFI CORONA MYTH BUSTER 15

Dr K K Aggarwal

President CMAAO, HCFI and Past National President CMAAO

One should stock up on bottled water

No, the water supply is not at risk, and there is no need to hoard bottled water. If you normally drink tap water, it’s fine to keep drinking it.

Maids working at home are OK

The Harvard Medical School offers several tips, including:

• Choose a worker who has minimal exposures to other people besides your family
• limiting the number of workers. If you can keep it to one, that’s ideal. But if you need multple keep the number as low as possible
• making sure the worker understands he or she needs to practice social distancing and limits physical interaction with the elderly as much as possible
• telling the worker that he or she must not come to your house if feeling even the slightest bit sick, or has had known exposure to coronavirus
• making sure everyone washes their hands frequently throughout the day, especially before eating.

It’s safe to get takeout from restaurants

You may want to wipe down the packaging and containers. There’s no evidence to suggest coronavirus is transmitted through food, the CDC says. It’s generally spread through respiratory droplets.

But it’s a good idea to disinfect the takeout containers and wash your hands afterward.

Outbreak never comes in waves

The outbreak could come in waves. Research by the Imperial College in Great Britain “would suggest you have to institute these kinds of measures for five months, very vigorously.

It is safe to go to the dentist

Unless you have an emergency, the American Dental Association suggests rescheduling imminent appointments. The ADA has urged dentists nationwide to postpone elective procedures.

Coronavirus is as contagious as flu

No. Research indicates a person with the flu infects about 1.28 other people, on average. But with the novel coronavirus, hesaid, “it’s likely between two and three” other people.

I cannot get flu and coronavirus at the same time?

It’s possible. They share common symptoms, especially fever and cough. But many coronavirus patients suffer from shortness of breath, a hallmark of Covid-19. Other coronavirus patients show no symptoms.

Can we socialise within the family

If you must socialize, it’s important to stay at least 6 feet away from others. Do not hug or kiss, wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds, and do not touch your face.

Older means 65 age

The CDC says “older adults“ and people with serious chronic medical conditions “are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness.”

Anyone over 60 and those with underlying health problems should try to avoid places with large crowds – such as movie theaters, busy malls and even religious services, infectious disease experts say.

The average age of death for people from coronavirus is 80. Average age of people who need medical attention is age 60.

I should not disinfect my groceries

Wipe down external surfaces of canned or wrapped foods.

You should be washing your vegetables (and) produce anyway. Make sure you sanitize your hands, wash your hands after you do all that – after you unpack all your groceries – is also a key step.

I need not stock up on extra food and supplies

Harvard Medical School recommends keeping a two-week to 30-day supply of nonperishable food at home. It’s also a good idea to keep at least a 30-day supply of prescription medications.

Public transportation are safe

When you ride a bus or subway, sneeze or cough into your elbow. Use a tissue to hold onto a pole. Avoid touching your face while you’re riding, and use hand sanitizer if you have it while you’re commuting.

Again, wash your hands before, during and after your trip.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recommends letting crowded trains or buses pass and waiting for a less crowded one. It’s nearly impossible to maintain 6 feet of distance on a packed subway car.

If you have a chronic illness, find alternative means of transportation — being in a crowded subway car or bus will significantly increase your risk of infection.

Uber is safe

Uber said it is trying to give drivers with disinfectants to help keep their cars clean, and the company “may temporarily suspend the accounts of riders or drivers confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19.”

Air journeys are not safe

Most viruses don’t spread easily on airplanes because of how the air circulates and is filtered, the CDC says.

Modern commercial jets recirculate 10-50% of the air in the cabin, mixed with outside air. The recirculated air passes through a series of filters 20-30 times per hour.

 Furthermore, air generally circulates in defined areas within the aircraft, thus limiting the radius of distribution of pathogens spread by small-particle aerosols. As a result, the cabin air environment is not conducive to the spread of most infectious diseases.

Still, try to avoid contact with anyone sneezing or coughing. And if you’re feeling sick, cover your entire mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

I should spray myself or my kids with disinfectant?

No. Those products work on surfaces but can be dangerous to your body.

There are some chemical disinfectants, including bleach, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform, that may kill the virus on surfaces.

But if the virus is already in your body, putting those substances on your skin or under your nose won’t kill it, the World Health Organization says. Not to mention, those chemicals can harm you.