MYTHS

FACTS

I DO NOT have symptoms so I cannot spread Covid-19.

Whether or not they have symptoms, infected people can be contagious, and can still spread the virus to other people.

Laboratory data suggests that infected people appear to be most infectious just before they develop symptoms (namely 2 days before they develop symptoms) and early in their illness. People who develop severe disease can be infectious for longer.

While someone who never develops symptoms can pass the virus to others, it is still not clear how frequently this occurs, and more research is needed in this area.

Once I receive the Covid-19 vaccine, I no longer need to wear a mask.

Masks are a key measure to suppress transmission and save lives.

Masks should be used as part of a comprehensive ‘Do it all!’ approach including physical distancing, avoiding crowded, closed and close-contact settings, good ventilation, cleaning hands, covering sneezes and coughs, and more.

Masks can be used for either protection of healthy persons or to prevent onward transmission.

You can contract the Covid-19 virus through mosquitoes.

There is no evidence that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through mosquitoes. The virus can be spread through droplets from coughing, sneezing or a patient’s saliva.

I am NOT at risk for severe complications of Covid-19 so I do not need the vaccine.

Regardless of your risk, you can still contract the infection and spread it to others, so it is important you get vaccinated. Once the vaccine is widely available, it is recommended that as many eligible adults as possible get the vaccine. It is not only to protect you but your family and community as well.

The Covid-19 vaccine is unsafe because it was developed so quickly.

The authorised vaccines are proven safe and effective. Although they were developed in record time, they have gone through the same rigorous Food and Drug Administration process as other vaccines, meeting all safety standards. No steps were skipped.

The clinical trials and safety reviews took about the same amount of time as other vaccines. 

I have already been diagnosed with Covid-19, so I do not need to receive the vaccine.

 If you have already had Covid-19, there’s evidence that you can still benefit from the vaccine. At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from Covid-19.

The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long.

Drinking alcohol such as beer, liquor or wine cures or prevents Covid-19.

Drinking alcohol DOES NOT cure or prevent Covid-19. In fact, drinking alcohol can weaken your immune system.

Drinking high strength ethanol, as found in some cleaning products or hand sanitizers, can be very dangerous. You must not consume these products. They will not protect you from Covid-19 and instead drinking these products could cause disability or death.

Covid-19 is transmitted in cold climate and not in hot and humid climate.

Coronavirus 2019 can be transmitted in any kind of climate. Exposing yourself to the sun or high temperatures does not prevent or treat Covid-19.

Wherever you are, no matter what kind of climate, you have to practice personal hygiene, i.e. wash your hands often, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, and wear masks.