COVID-19 rumors dispelled

Rumors are spreading faster than the coronavirus, and misinformation is triggering fear and misconceptions. The China Daily ran a report to dispel speculations regarding the outbreak. Among the rumors circulating is the potential danger of being / eating in a Chinese restaurant. 

While it is expected that most restaurants in China suffered a 100% drop in income (wine-search.com) due to lockdowns, this rumor is hurting Chinese restaurant businesses even outside China. Owners of establishments are suffering a downturn since the COVID-19 outbreak, as customers are staying indoors more and eating out less. But many Chinatowns in the US, are being avoided out of fear. 

That the novel coronavirus is transmitted through food is far from true, because the virus is transmitted from person to person, the report said. This also confirms that the virus does not survive long in objects, and therefore it cannot be transmitted from packages or letters coming from China. (While the virus is believed to have come from bats, there is no direct link between eating meat and the virus. However, it is recommended that consumers thoroughly cook meats.)

(Photo: China Daily)

Still circulating is the rumor that drinking water at 60 degrees Celsius can kill the virus. The China Daily report said this is a myth, explaining that the novel coronavirus can be killed in water at 56C or higher after 30 minutes, but it is impossible for the human body to lift its temperature to 56C.

More myth busters, go to https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

The best way to prevent the spread of any virus is to wash hands frequently, and to stay home when sick.

As of this writing (March 2), there are 88,000 reported cases and 3,000 fatalities in every continent with the exception of Antartica. The virus is still spreading, with Indonesia reporting its first cases today.

More live updates: https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/coronavirus-asia-asean-live-updates-by-country/

Related report: Food updates in the GCC amid COVID-19 outbreak