A face mask will protect you from COVID-19.
They can. Certain models of professional, tight-fitting respirators can protect health care workers as they care for infected patients. But for the general public, the benefit of wearing lightweight disposable surgical masks is not clear.
Hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus.
No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. Instead, you should frequently wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kills coronavirus.
No. Spraying these substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes in the eyes and mouth). Alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but not on the body.
Ultraviolet disinfection lamps kill the coronavirus.
UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin. The UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
Is it safe to receive a letter or a package from China?
Yes, it is safe. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.
Pets spread coronavirus
No. At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets..
Vaccines protect you against coronavirus
No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against coronavirus.
The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.
Regularly rinsing your nose with saline prevents infection of coronavirus
No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.
There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.
Eating garlic help prevent infection of coronavirus
Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. But here is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from coronavirus.
Putting on sesame oil blocks the new coronavirus from entering the body
No. Sesame oil does not kill the new coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.
Coronavirus affects older people more than younger people
People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
Antibiotics are effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus
No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.
The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.
There are medicines to prevent or treat coronavirus
To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.