Since the emergence of the Coronavirus in Wuhan, China, the virus has spread across the globe like bush fire. Scientists are working round the clock to find a cure for the disease. As with any global pandemic or outbreak, there are all sorts of information. Some are true, while others are rib-tickling. This isn’t different for covid-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has given its right measures to fight this pandemic. Lots of medical practitioners have come out to guide people on what the virus is and how to prevent catching it. Yet, a lot of people have become experts in their own rights; giving all sorts of health advice on the cure for the virus. This post unveils 5 Africans Coronavirus myths and misconceptions surrounding this novel virus. Read on!
Do you remember that at the onset when the Coronavirus plague was just beginning to spread around the United States, some charlatans wrote and circulated that people with Melanin in their skin cannot catch coronavirus? Well, it didn’t take so long before that myth started to get busted right in people’s face!
And let’s be grateful, for were this myth to be true, definitely expect lots of kidnapping, trading, and ritual killing. It would have been more a curse than blessing. Let’s get down to some of the myths and misconceptions that have emerged since these smug scoundrels penned their fake news.
- Taking Black Tea in The Morning Cures Coronavirus
There are claims in Kenya that drinking black tea without sugar in the morning on an empty stomach will help cure the Coronavirus. There are no supporting studies that have proved black tea as a cure for Covid-19. If you aren’t sick and you drink black tea, your body will thank you, of course. But if you have Coronavirus, or you suspect you might be having it giving the symptoms you are seeing, definitely expect your body to be so mad at you for taking the road of the dumps!
2. Taking Pepper Soup Kills The Virus
This myth originated in Nigeria and has different spiked reactions on social media.
According to a Nigerian spiritual activist Omotade Sparks Amos, the coronavirus is a “pepper deficiency syndrome” and consuming soups and foods high in pepper flushes out the virus.
Though the traditional spice has been used by the community for years and is known to be an immune booster as well as a cure for common cold and flu.
No research, however, supports its cure for the Coronavirus. Enjoy spice if you want, but don’t pepper-up your own brain waiting for Covid-19 healing.
3. Inhaling Boiled Neem Leaves Steam
This myth originated from Ghana. Neem is a herbal medication used for the treatment of flu and breathing complications, and Ghanaians believe that inhaling the hot steam cures this infectious disease.
Though Neem has been relied on for so many years for medicinal purposes, there is no supporting research that proves that inhaling boiled neem leaves steam is a cure for the virus.
4. Africans Have Chroloquine in Their System And Are Resistant To Covid-19
Chloroquine is an anti-malarial medication. Recently, the drug has been used on coronavirus patients to suppress the virus, and true, there are some evidence out there suggesting that it works. Interestingly, there are also some facts out there that it doesn’t work, but instead kills the patients.
The WHO has warned people against using this controversial drug as a cure for the virus. No research has shown Africans resistance to the virus, and therefore people should follow the set guidelines.
It’s certainly not impossible that some people’s DNA make-up just doesn’t work with the drug, or something else is going horribly wrong. Hence, the fact is that there are gross misconceptions on the use of chroloquine to kill Covid-19 that we still need time to clear up.
The myth, however, is that some Africans believe that they are resistant to the infection because they have Chroloquine in their systems! Wait….what?!! What does this even mean?!!
5. Coronavirus Cannot Survive In Africa’s Hot Weather
Speculations about the Coronavirus and its survival rate in high temperatures have been going round, with some claiming that the novel virus cannot survive in a tropical climate.
There is no proven research or study that has supported this claim. According to WHO, Coronavirus can survive in both humid and warm places.
Which other misconceptions have you heard so far? Have you been a victim of these misconceptions? Share your contributions in the comments section to help others.