6 myths about Kovid-19 have been dispelled by scientists

Nearly three years after the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, quite a lot of beliefs persist and are nonetheless shared, particularly on social media. Although quite a few research have confirmed the significance of masks, for instance, it’s attainable to watch individuals discrediting this easy and low cost manner of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which is really useful in circumstances of regrouping.

In a current article for the platform dialogA pair of scientists Stephen Griffin, virologist and professor on the University of Leeds, and Simon Nicholas, public well being skilled and professor at Swansea University, debunk a few of the largest myths about Covid-19.

Myth 1: The virus solely causes gentle types of Covid-19

With the emergence of the Ômicron variant and its descendants, there’s an impression that the virus causes solely gentle circumstances of Covid-19. However, this isn’t essentially true, as a result of it’s inconceivable to disregard that a big a part of the world’s inhabitants is vaccinated with at the very least two doses – in Brazil, the speed is 80.1%.

Adding vaccines and circumstances of earlier an infection with the virus, many of the world has little safety towards the coronavirus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 90% of the world’s inhabitants at present has some degree of immunity to Covid-19.

In this state of affairs, the pair of scientists reinforces that “the result of ailments relies upon critically on immunity”, together with the present pandemic. “SARS-CoV-2 is just not inherently gentle or essentially gentle,” he provides. Even with this total degree of safety, the virus can nonetheless pose a menace and require extra doses of vaccine.

Myth 2: Only the aged and immunosuppressed individuals are in danger for COVID-19

Another fable is that now solely the aged or immunocompromised can develop extreme types of Covid-19. Each organism is exclusive, and it’s not attainable to foretell how people will react to this illness. Furthermore, for younger individuals, “even gentle infections can result in long-term circumstances of Covid”, they warn. In the UK, the situation impacts one in 5 adults aged 18-64.

Myth 3: Children aren’t affected by Covid-19

Children are nonetheless very weak to covid-19, long-term covid and different issues, equivalent to loss of life. On the opposite hand, worldwide, vaccination charges for this group are low. In Brazil, the vaccine towards Covid-19 is issued solely to kids aged 6 months to 2 years and to kids over 3 years of age (no matter well being elements).

Only, from the start of the yr to November, greater than 477 deaths from extreme acute respiratory syndrome (SRAG) related to Covid had been confirmed in Brazil in infants and youngsters as much as 5 years of age. In the identical interval, there have been solely 32 deaths from influenza (flu).

Myth 4: Using hand sanitizer is sufficient to stop Covid-19

At the start of the epidemic, gel alcohol and hand hygiene had been thought of the 2 principal protecting measures towards Covid-19. Although they’re nonetheless vital, science has discovered that the primary type of virus transmission is just not by contact with contaminated surfaces.

According to the pair of scientists, “SARS-CoV-2 is unfold by tiny particles of moisture suspended within the air, known as aerosols”. Thus, sufficient air flow of areas – equivalent to conserving home windows open – and masks are important to cut back transmission.

Myth 5: Protective masks do not work

Masks are nonetheless the goal of criticism in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, although they’re a easy and cheap technique to stop the transmission of Covid-19. Three principal elements are among the many attainable explanations:

“Used correctly, PFF2 and PFF3 masks filter 95% and 99% of particles, respectively, as much as aerosol measurement. Thus, they shield each the consumer and others from Covid-19”, say the scientists.

Myth 6: Vaccines are now not efficient

At the second, first-generation vaccines – constructed from the unique pressure of the coronavirus – are nonetheless efficient in stopping extreme varieties and loss of life. Additionally, they shield towards covid for a very long time. However, as really useful by well being consultants, they must be up to date every now and then by booster doses. Today, for instance, a fifth dose of the vaccine is already out there to some individuals in Brazil.

Pharmaceuticals Moderna and Pfizer additionally developed the primary bivalent formulations to enhance the immune response towards Omicron and its progenitors, equivalent to BA.4 and BA.5. This means they shield towards two strains of the virus in the identical scheme because the flu vaccine. Soon, these doses ought to attain Brazilians and with it, they’ll improve the protection towards the virus.

Source: Conversation

??The finest content material in your e-mail at no cost. Choose your favourite Terra e-newsletter. Click right here!