Bogus Cures
There's all sorts of misinformation about the Coronavirus spreading all over the web.
The BBC lists six things that absolutely do not work.
1. Garlic
We're not talking about vampires. The WHO (World Health Organization) says that while it is "a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties", there's no evidence that eating garlic can protect people from the new coronavirus.
2. 'Miracle minerals'
Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned about the dangers to health of drinking MMS. Health authorities in other countries have also issued alerts about it.
3. Home-made hand sanitiser
There have been many reports of shortages of hand sanitiser gel, as washing your hands is one key way to prevent spread of the virus. There are rumors that Tito's Vodka can be used. Unfortunately, Tito's does not have enough alcohol to be used as a hand sanitizer. Ordinary soap and water works really well.
4. Drinkable silver
No, no, a thousand times no! There's a televangelist promoting this stuff. He's selling it. there's clear advice from the US health authorities that there's no evidence this type of silver is effective for any health condition. More importantly, it could cause serious side effects including kidney damage, seizures and argyria - a condition that makes your skin turn blue.
5. Drinking water every 15 minutes
Drinking water will keep you hydrated, but there is no proof that you can flush the virus out of your system by drinking lots of water. This fake cure has been copied and pasted many times on Facebook
6. Heat and avoiding ice cream
Trying to heat your body or expose yourself to the sun - presumably to make it inhospitable to the virus - is completely ineffective, according to Prof Bloomfield. Once the virus is in your body, there's no way of killing it - your body just has to fight it off.Outside the body, "to actively kill the virus you need temperatures of around 60 degrees [Celsius]", says Professor Bloomfield - far hotter than any bath.
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