Coronavirus Watch: List of fake health advice about COVID-19
[Updated as of April 14]
Here's a running list of all the fake health tips about COVID-19 that are spreading like a virus on the Internet.
Coronavirus Cure Recipe
'Pinoy MD' reported that drinking boiled water with garlic is not yet a proven cure for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19.
Drink Bleach
Claims that drinking bleach can repel the coronavirus disease went viral on social media. 'Pinoy MD' clarifies that this advice is false and can actually pose danger to your health.
Hot Weather Kills the Coronavirus
Hot weather cannot kill the virus that causes COVID-19. According to a previous episode of 'Pinoy MD,' “In fact, there have been cases recorded in some countries that also has a hot climate.”
Avoid Ice Cream
An erroneous health advice falsely attributed to UNICEF states that avoiding ice cream or other cold foods can help prevent you from catching the coronavirus disease.
On March 5, UNICEF Cambodia addressed the issue on Twitter and confirmed that the viral post is fake.
Drink water every 15 minutes
Multiple Facebook accounts shared a specific list of coronavirus tips that allegedly claims to be an 'internal message' from the Stanford Hospital Board. In the said post, it recommends to “take a few sips of water 15 minutes at least” to flush out the virus off your body.
On March 13, Stanford Health Care confirmed on Facebook that the widely circulated information did not come from them.
Silver Solution
Televangelist Jim Bakker promoted on his TV show and website an unproven coronavirus drug called the Silver Solution, which costs more than USD 125 per bundle. Now, according to Daily Mail, he is being sued by the state of Missouri for violating the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.
Miracle Mineral Supplements
Blogger Jordan Sather has long been promoting the Miracle Mineral Supplements (MMS) or Chlorine Dioxide. And recently, he claims that “studies have been done showing chlorine dioxide to be effective at killing the coronavirus, too.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released an advisory last year stating that “The FDA warns you not to drink sodium chlorite products such as Miracle Mineral Solution. These products can make you sick.”
Ibuprofen Worsens COVID-19
A viral post falsely claims that four COVID-19 patients are in serious condition after taking anti-inflammatory drugs. The World Health Organization on March 19 tweeted that it “does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen.”
Inhale Hot Air
A YouTube video uploaded in several channels claim that breathing in hot air through hair dryers can help kill the coronavirus inside your system.
According to AFP Fact Check, “This is false; an expert in coronaviruses said these methods would not be effective, while a cell biologist said there is no evidence the virus can be treated via heat.”
Hold Your Breath for 10 Seconds
A random hoax tip circulating online tells about a 'Simple Self-Check' for coronavirus disease. Attributed to Taiwan experts, it says to “Take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, etc., it proves there is no Fibrosis in the lungs, basically indicates no infection.”
In a CNN report, infectious disease specialist Dr. Robert Legare Atmar said “Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds also doesn't mean someone doesn't have coronavirus.”
Bananas
A viral video claimed that bananas can boost the immune system and help prevent the coronavirus disease.
On a GMA News report on March 18, health spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire said that there is no study that would give scientific evidence that bananas can protect a person from contracting COVID-19.
Source: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/730262/bananas-vs-covid-19-not-backed-by-evidence-doh-exec/story/
Alcoholic Beverages
A falsified letter from the Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City circulated online saying that: “consuming alcoholic beverages may help reduce the risk of infection by the novel coronavirus; COVID-19.”
It further said that, “Vodka is the most recommended for drinking, cleaning, and sanitizing.”
The hospital dismissed this claim on March 12 in a Facebook post.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/SaintLukesHospitalofKansasCity/posts/2968539256523032?__tn__=-R
Prodex-B
On March 30, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines released an advisory regarding the baseless Claims of “Prodex-B” as anti-viral treatment for the coronavirus disease.
It said, “The drug combination of Procaine and Dexamethasone with Vitamin B called “Prodex-B” is circulating in various media platforms and claims that it has promising effects against viral infections and diseases. However upon verification, the drug product “Prodex-B” is unregistered in this Office.”
Coronavirus Cigarettes
The AFP Fact Check corrected a false online report that shows the Philippine authorities confiscating fake cigarettes that were "spreading" the coronavirus disease. They also added that the video in the report “actually shows the Philippines customs bureau seizing fake cigarettes in May 2018, more than one year before the coronavirus outbreak”
Source: https://factcheck.afp.com/report-hoax-video-was-filmed-one-year-novel-coronavirus-outbreak
Coronavirus is Airborne
The World Health Organization (WHO) clarified that the news claiming WHO has confirmed that COVID-19 is “airborne” and can “remain eight hours in the air” is incorrect.
