This article is part of our ‘Covid-19 & the Job Market’ resource pack. View more here.

Fake news is the order of the day. Make sure you fact check anything you hear. If you heard from someone who heard it from someone else who knows someone who might know something – chances are it’s untrue. If you found out on a Whatsapp thread, chances are it’s also untrue. Don’t share anything you “heard from someone”, it might save a life. If you’re keen on sharing, share this!

Holding your breath for 10 seconds is not a valid COVID-19 test.

This is a myth. The only verified test is that which comes from health authorities or professionals.

Healthy individuals are not at risk – Wrong!

Although healthier and younger individuals have a smaller mortality rate, they are equally at risk of contracting the virus. Healthier and younger individuals have also died from the virus. Moreover, if a healthier person contracts the virus, they may be asymptomatic and still carry the virus to other individuals who are more at risk.

Antibiotics do not kill the virus

Antiobiotics work against bacteria and not viruses – therefore they do not work against COVID-19. However, antibiotics may be given to you to treat bacterial co-infection if you are infected with the virus.

Alcohol kills the virus – also wrong.

Although rubbing hand sanitiser (which includes alcohol) kills the virus on your skin, ingesting it will actually weaken your immune system and increase the chances of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which is one of the most severe complications of COVID-19. Moreover, alcohol weakens your immunity and virus resistance.

Sunnier countries are still at risk.

High temperatures do not prevent coronavirus disease. No matter how sunny or hot it is you can still catch the virus.

How effective are thermal scanners?

Although thermal scanners are effective in fishing out persons with high fever and who may, therefore, have contracted the virus, they are not effective in finding people who have been infected but who do not yet show signs of fever. It takes 2-10 days for infected persons to become sick and develop a fever.

Bottom line:

Wash your hands, practise good hygiene, stay home or self-isolate where possible. If you have to go out keep a safe distance (2m distance) from those in the vicinity.

All information in this article can be found on the WHO International website and the national COVID-19 landing page.