There’s been public disquiet as regarding the deadly
coronavirus in recent times. But more is that health experts across the globe
are yet to discover a vaccine for the disease.
A stir was recently caused on social media after clinical
evidence suggested that Chloroquine Phosphate, a widely-used antimalarial drug,
may be effective in combating the zoonotic ailment.
In 2014, during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, claims about
ingesting salt or having a saltwater bath had swirled across the country,
threatening many lives and landing a number of Nigerians in hospitals in a wave
of panic.
Six years later — in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak —
there are now claims that drinking alcohol can, perhaps, forestall the possibility
of one contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19).
A Hindi newspaper clipping reportedly claimed that drinking
alcohol will keep the coronavirus at bay, having translated, “Why cry now?
Corona will be packed with one peg of alcohol.”
While it wasn’t clear as to whether or not the article is
satirical, social media sources have further fueled such claims, suggesting
that spraying alcohol all over one’s body would rid one of COVID-19.
Does alcohol really forestall coronavirus?
In the list of myths published on the website of the World
Health Organisation (WHO), it was stated that alcohol does have a role in
tackling the disease, albeit not through ingestion.
"There are 10 basic things that you should know.— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 28, 2020
1⃣clean your 👐 regularly with an alcohol-based hand rub, or wash them with 🧼 & 💧.
Touching your face after touching contaminated surfaces or sick people is one of the ways the #coronavirus can be transmitted"-@DrTedros pic.twitter.com/Ty8J0zoGKS
The substance, according to the WHO, works only when it is
found in handwashes and hand rubs unlike claims suggesting that drinking booze
while smoking alongside are more likely to prevent the deadly virus.
Although alcohol has proven to be effective in tackling the
virus on surfaces, spraying or bathing in alcohol as misinformation have
suggested will not kill viruses that have entered the body.
Alcohol (75 percent solution) and bleach or chlorine-based
disinfectants are only appropriate for cleaning surfaces and can cause harm if
not used appropriately.
Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, there has been a
sharp increase in demand for alcohol disinfectants in many parts of the world.
The status quo,
precautionary measures
83,774 people have been infected; 2,867 have so far died
from the coronavirus, with Nigeria having reported its first case of the
ailment after an Italian citizen tested positive in Lagos.
Akin Abayomi, the state commissioner for health, had urged
citizens not to abuse social media and indulge in causing fear and panic by
spreading misinformation.
“I wish to assure all Nigerians that have we have been
beefing up our preparedness capabilities since the first confirmation of cases
in China, and we will use all the resources made available by the government to
respond to this case,” he said.
Following the development, Nigeria became the 52nd country
to confirm a positive case of the virus.
The dreaded virus has been confirmed in Singapore, UK,
Spain, Vietnam, Germany, UAE, France, Japan, Thailand, Canada, Australia,
Italy, Russia, the United States, among other countries.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com