Coronavirus: Common myths and misconceptions about COVID-19, busted by science

The coronavirus crisis has taken a toll on a lot of people. Besides having disrupted lives, it has caused some serious damage to people's physical and mental wellbeing. While the fight against COVID-19 continues to rage on, people have also been struggling to keep false myths and misconceptions at bay. During such critical times, it is not only important to stay updated with the latest news and reports, but one must be aware of the rumours and lies which separate fact from fiction. That being said, here are some of the most common COVID myths and misconceptions busted by science.

Many still believe that the coronavirus was made in a lab. However, no such evidence has been found in support of the claim. Akin to other two coronaviruses that emerged in recent decades, SARS-CoV-2 has also been claimed to have originated from bats. According to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine, a key aspect of the COVID-19 virus, known as the spike protein has been said to have originated from nature rather than a lab.

According to the World Health Organization, exposure to high temperature can protect you from COVID-19. However, there's no guarantee that you won't contract the virus. There have been many reports that suggest the spread of the virus in areas having high temperatures.

Unlike other four coronaviruses, namely 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1, SARS-CoV-2 shares about 90% of its genetic material with coronaviruses that infect animals. While all five coronaviruses use the so-called spike proteins to infect host cells, the novel coronavirus, unlike the rest, has been transmitted from animals. Other coronaviruses use humans as their primary host and cause the common cold.

COVID-19 symptoms vary in many aspects and also differ in the degree of risks. There are many signs of infection that may coincide with symptoms of other diseases, such as the common cold and the flu. In addition to that, some people infected with the virus do not show any signs of infection, which in itself can be very dangerous. That being said, it is almost impossible for you to find out whether you have contracted the virus or not, without getting yourself tested for the same.

Vitamin C plays a significant role in boosting the immunity and also helps white blood cells to function more effectively. However, as much as it is important to strengthen your immune system against the novel coronavirus, researchers have found no solid evidence regarding the effectiveness of Vitamin C in fight against the deadly virus.

Surely, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and disinfectants may control the spread of the virus, but consuming alcohol does more harm than any good. While you may think consuming alcohol keeps you safe from COVID-19, it only ends up weakening your body and reduces your body's ability to fight the virus.

Wearing a face mask can be slightly uncomfortable. However, that does not mean it reduces oxygen levels or promotes CO2 retention, as many still tend to believe. Besides, many face masks, particularly N95 masks allow oxygen and CO2 to flow, as per reports shared by Stanford University.

People of all ages can be susceptible to the novel coronavirus. While elderly people and people with pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to the disease, there is no guarantee that it won't affect younger adults too. World Health Organization has advised people of all age groups to take extra precautions to not just in keep oneself safe, but also in securing other people from the virus too.