Covid 19 Myths and Facts

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):
Myths and Facts

Office of Community Health, Equity and Wellness
Updated August 26, 2020
The following things will not prevent or kill
COVID-19 once you are infected:
• Taking a hot bath
• Gargling with vinegar, salt water, or any other substance
• Eating garlic or pepper
• Using a hot hand dryer
• Rinsing your nose with saline
• Drinking apple cider vinegar
• Putting alcohol, chlorine, bleach, or other cleaning supplies on or in your
body
Myth: COVID-19 pandemic is being overblown
or exaggerated
Fact: COVID-19 is a serious threat worldwide and we
must all take steps to prevent the spread as much as
possible
• The United States now has more cases and more deaths from COVID-19 than anywhere in the
world
• We should all take orders to stay home and distance ourselves from others as seriously as
possible, because this is the best tool we have to prevent the spread of the disease
Myth: COVID-19 is just like the flu
Fact: COVID-19 is deadlier and more infectious
that the seasonal flu
• On average, 12,000 to 61,000 people in the U.S. die of the seasonal
flu each year
• As of August 2020, over 170,000 people have died from COVID-19 in
less than 9 months
Myth: Only certain races and ethnicities can
get COVID-19
Fact: People of all races and ethnicities can get

COVID-19
• Over 30% of COVID-19 cases in Michigan have been amongst African Americans
Myth: Certain races and ethnicities are more
likely to spread COVID-19
Fact: No one race or ethnicity is more likely to

spread COVID-19
• There has been great stigmatization and discrimination of people of Asian
descent during COVID-19
• People of Asian descent are not more likely to spread COVID-19 than anyone else
Myth: Mosquitos can spread COVID-19
Fact: COVID-19 cannot be spread through mosquito

bites, houseflies, or any other bug/insect
• The virus is spread through droplets released from the mouth and
nose of someone who has COVID-19
Myth: Only elderly people should be worried
about COVID-19
Fact: COVID-19 can infect people of all ages,

and should be taken seriously by everyone
• In Michigan, a significant proportion of cases have been in people aged 0-49

• Young people are more likely to show less severe symptoms, but are still highly
contagious and can spread the disease to others who are more at risk without
realizing it
Myth: Spraying chlorine or alcohol disinfectant all
over your body can kill COVID-19
Fact: Spraying chlorine or alcohol on your body

will not kill viruses already in your body
• DO NOT drink, ingest, or inject chlorine or any disinfectants to try to prevent or
treat COVID-19
Myth: Vaccines for pneumonia or the flu
protect against COVID-19
Fact: There is not yet a vaccine that protects

against COVID-19
• However, getting the flu shot can help our healthcare system. If there
are less people needing to be treated for the flu, our healthcare
system has more resources and time for COVID-19 patients.
Myth: Antibiotics can kill COVID-19
Fact: Antibiotics do not work against viruses,
only bacteria
• Because COVID-19 is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not work

• However, if you are hospitalized for COVID-19, you may receive
antibiotics because of the risk of bacterial co-infection
Myth: It is unsafe to receive mail and
packages during COVID-19
Fact: It is safe to handle packages, including

ones from China, during COVID-19
• According to WHO, the likelihood of an infected person contaminating
commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes
COVID-19 from a package is also low.
• If you are concerned, after opening your mail and throwing away the
envelopes, thoroughly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap
and water
Myth: Pets can give COVID-19 to humans
Fact: Based on what we know now, the risk of a pet

giving a human COVID-19 is believed to be low.
• Animals and some household pets have tested positive for COVID-19.
• It appears that the virus can spread from people to animals in some situations,
but at this time the risk of COVID-19 spreading from animals to people seems
low.
• Don’t let your pets interact with other pets outside your household, and if
someone in your home is sick, keep all pets away from the sick person.

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):

Myths and Facts

Fact: People of all races and ethnicities can get

Fact: No one race or ethnicity is more likely to

Fact: COVID-19 cannot be spread through mosquito

Fact: COVID-19 can infect people of all ages,

• In Michigan, a significant proportion of cases have been in people aged 0-49

Fact: Spraying chlorine or alcohol on your body

Fact: There is not yet a vaccine that protects

• Because COVID-19 is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not work

Fact: It is safe to handle packages, including

Fact: Based on what we know now, the risk of a pet

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