Harianjogja.com, JAKARTA – Myths about Corona virus transmission continue to grow in society.
According to Sylvie Briand, Director of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO), misinformation is a common phenomenon during a pandemic.
“There are infodemics which are abundant information, good or bad, but it makes it difficult for people to distinguish which information is good from bad information or useless information and then people feel confused and sometimes it increases their fear and anxiety. illness, “he says on the episode Science in 5 WHO quoted from GMA news.
To combat misinformation, it is necessary to solve some myths that might make us believe in these hoaxes.
1. Weather determines the transmission of Covid-19
FACT: Weather does not significantly affect Covid-19 transmission.
According to Briand, outbreaks have occurred in both hot and cold climates, which suggests that the weather has not significantly affected Covid-19 transmission.
He clarified, however, that there are special arrangements that can affect disease transmission, such as living in crowded places.
“For example, if you have been in a crowded and closed place with limited ventilation, then the risk of contracting Covid-19 is greater,” he said.
“And sometimes this is what happens in winter because it’s cold outside, people tend to live in places that are poorly ventilated, closed, and sometimes crowded.”
2. Water can transmit Covid-19
FACT: Water cannot spread COVID-19.
Briand emphasized that water cannot transmit the virus.
“Drinking does not transmit Covid-19 and if you swim in a swimming pool or in a pool you cannot catch Covid-19 through water,” he explained.
However, Briand said if you swim in a crowded place and are close to other people, especially with someone who is infected, you can also catch the disease.
“So that’s why even in the swimming pool it’s important to maintain physical distance,” he said.
3. Mosquitoes transmit Covid-19.
Fact: Although mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, or dengue fever, COVID-19 is not among them, Briand said.
“Covid-19 cannot be transmitted through mosquitoes,” he said.
A lot of misinformation continues to be spread online so Briand recommends looking at trusted sources and being careful about what we share on social media.
“When you have information that you are not sure about, please verify it before spreading it and like that we will all be infodemic managers and we will reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation,” he said.
Source: JIBI / Bisnis Indonesia
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