RTD Journal

Debunking corona virus myths

Misconceptions during the second wave of the pandemic can cause mass hysteria which in turn can lead to voluntary havoc- Ankita Mohanty  

With India commencing towards its ultimate doom as a result of 300,000 positive cases every day, the world remains standstill, hoping and praying that this doesn’t happen to them, India has reached a point where a myth can either make or break a nation if spoken in the wrong time.

As the vast majority of India sits at their home, surfing the internet, it’s pertinent that an idle mind would start fearing the unknown. It would start imagining itself in scenarios that make little sense. The influx of information, however scant or ample, has created a COVID fatigue which can prove fatal when not taken care of.

Chances are you’ve heard about a food, drug or other methods that claim to prevent, treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). And there are also chances that you have heard about the ill effects of the vaccine and how it can severely affect your health instead of benefiting. But while it might be tempting to use a questionable product or method to stay healthy during the pandemic, or discard the usage of vaccine entirely, it’s extremely unlikely to work and might cause serious harm to you as well as to people around you.

.

Myth no 1:- No COVID vaccines during periods

A social media post circulating suggests that menstruation “lowers” immunity for a woman, and therefore, taking a vaccine, 5 days before, during or after your periods would be harmful and may not garner an efficient response.

The post, which was also widely forwarded on social media, also mentions that the first dose of the vaccine “decreases” immunity, hence, women who do get vaccinated on their periods face a high risk of catching the infection and falling ill.

Facts:

Periods do not lead to the lowering of immunity. Certain hormones like progesterone and estrogen fluctuate before a woman starts her period which can sometimes lead to premenstrual syndrome, but there is no effect on immunity as such.

Myth no 2:- COVID 19 vaccines can make men infertile

Facts:- The COVID-19 vaccines have been extensively tested and screened for potential and dangers and have been approved only after their safety has been established without a doubt. No evidence suggests any of the approved vaccines harm fertility.

No loss of fertility has been administered during trials or among the millions who have received the vaccines since their authorization, and no signs of infertility appeared in animal studies either.

Myth no 3:- Young people are immune to severe COVID-19 illness.

Fact: In a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine discovered that among more than 3,200 adults ages 18 to 34 who were hospitalized with the disease, 21% required intensive care, 10% required mechanical ventilation, and nearly 3% — 88 patients — died.

While the vast majority of young adults who get COVID are not going to require hospitalization, they can still carry the virus and get infected by it.

Myth no 4:- Vaccines could give you blood clots

The recent discovery of blood clots in Denmark put the world in a frenzy and many, especially the elderly population are worried about overtaking the dose.

While the unfortunate side-effect may prove to be a roadblock, what’s evident is that the vaccines are generally safe to use. WHO does not account for blood clots as a possible side-effect as of now.

The covid-19 pandemic has been termed as a ‘once-in-a-century crisis and any form of negligence from both the executives and the public can prove fatal. The second wave of COVID-19 is to strike India in its full force on the 2nd of May 2021 and the country’s best hope is to be moderately prepared for what to come and reduce the death poll as much as possible. Half of India is breathless and the other half is locked up in their house in constant fear of contracting a virus that could prove fatal. At this point, these myths only hinder the little progress that it has made.

So remember whatever information you are consuming right now, you could do it with a pinch of salt. It is not just detrimental for fueling COVID-19 spread, but will also put many more, vulnerable groups at risk.

While those over 45 are being advised to get the vaccine as soon as possible, hesitancy and misinformation can dampen efforts. Hence, one must resolve to quash myths and help in combating this pandemic with a learned attitude.