When dealing with something as serious as COVID-19, it’s important to be as informed as possible. With the level of misinformation on social media, being informed is more difficult than it sounds these days. But being properly educated can help keep you and your family safe.

With that in mind, Holliswood Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing is bringing you four coronavirus myths, courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine. 

MYTH: Injecting, Swallowing, or Bathing in Bleach, Disinfectants, or Rubbing Alcohols can Provide Protection From COVID-19

This is a dangerous myth because performing any of these actions can lead to a trip to the hospital or even death. These methods should be used to clean surfaces but never on the body. Hand Sanitizers contain alcohol but are formulated to be safe on skin.

MYTH: A vaccine or cure-all to COVID-19 is Available

While several companies have advanced into clinical trials (for both vaccines and antiviral therapies), none are available as of Summer 2020. One treatment that has shown some promise is plasma therapy donated by people who have recovered from COVID-19, but this has only been used on patients who have been hospitalized with severe symptoms. 

MYTH: The Novel Coronavirus was Created by Scientists in a Lab

Virologists are largely in agreement that this new coronavirus emerged from animal origin from a wet market (where live animals are purchased) in Wuhan, China. They believe the virus was common in an animal (possibly a pig, bird, or bat) and underwent changes in order to be passed on to humans. 

MYTH: You Can Get Sick From Ordering Products From Overseas

There has yet to be a documented case of COVID-19 from it being transmitted by the mail, either domestically or internationally. The World Health Organization says getting the disease from a commercial package is low. 

To learn more about Holliswood Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://holliswood-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.