‘Come summer, coronavirus will perish,’ ‘conduct 10 second self breath-holding test,’ ‘alcohol kills the virus,’ ‘lemon and turmeric prevent infection.’ All of us were flooded with such messages as the Covid-19 pandemic spread across the globe infecting 9,633,157 and killing 490,481 as on June 27. India reported 508,953 infections and 15,685 deaths in the same time period.

The dreaded virus that was first reported in China’s Wuhan province in late December 2019 within a month spread to almost all parts of the world causing panic and sending government’s into a tizzy, scrambling for damage control.

With no vaccine and cure known for the disease that is caused by coronavirus, claims and counter-claims of remedies and prevention techniques flooded the social media even as scientists struggled to find an antidote.

Such was the volume and reach of these claims that the World Health Organisation was forced to issue a ‘myth-buster’ statement, taking down all the so called ‘remedies’ one by one. Here’s what the global health monitor had to say:

Claim: Temperatures higher than 25 degrees prevent Covid-19

You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. 

Countries with hot weather have reported cases of COVID-19. To protect yourself, make sure you clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose, says the WHO website.

Claim: Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more means you are free from the coronavirus disease

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are dry cough, tiredness and fever. Some people may develop more severe forms of the disease, such as pneumonia. The best way to confirm if you have the virus producing COVID-19 disease is with a laboratory test. You cannot confirm it with this breathing exercise, which can even be dangerous, the website adds.

Claim: Drinking alcohol protects one against Covid-19

Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of health problems. 

Claim: Taking a hot bath prevents the new coronavirus disease

Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching Covid-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you.

Claim: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over one’s body kills the new coronavirus

No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth).

Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.

Claim: Lemon and turmeric can prevent the disease

There is no evidence to prove that lemon and turmeric is an effective preventive measure against Covid 19, clarified the Press Information Bureau if India (PIB) via its twitter handle @PIBFactCheck.

For more myth busters by the WHO, visit https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters