Myth-breaking and COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Manhattanville Expert Answers Your Questions

Information, news stories, articles and advice are coming at Americans from all sides these days when it comes to COVID-19, its spread, prevention, those vulnerable, and whether America should continue to shut down or carry on carefully.

There’s a lot to know and it is vitally important that accurate, credible and reliable information is what’s being shared.  That’s where the experts from Manhattanville College can help. 

Orhan Hakli, RN, MS-FNP-C, is an administrator in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Manhattanville College. He is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner in private practice who has worked in various areas of health care including medical-surgical nursing, cardiology, geriatrics, wound care, hyperbaric medicine, and primary care.

Here are a few of the questions he has been facing in recent days from patients. 

Below, he breaks down some of the myths that are surfacing with facts.

I heard drinking alcohol- especially Vodka- decreases my risk of getting COVID-19.

MYTH- There is no credible evidence to support that alcohol consumption decreases the risk of COVID-19. Using hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands can be helpful. So, using hand sanitizers with 60% alcohol yes, drinking to prevent COVID-19 is a hard no.

I heard coronavirus comes from animals. I have a dog at home. Should I get rid of him/her?

MYTH- It is true that Coronavirus is common in animals but not in household pets, so cuddle away but wash your hands afterwards for personal hygiene purposes. 

If I go out, I will get sick

MYTH- We recommend social distance, not social isolation. As long as you keep 6 feet from people, do not touch your mouth, nose, or eyes and wash your hands frequently, you should be fine. 

If I was in contact with someone who had the coronavirus, I should start taking antibiotics immediately.

MYTH- This is a viral disease; antibiotics have no effects on viral diseases. They are effective only on bacterial infections.

Getting products in the mail from China will make people sick.

MYTH- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that Coronavirus, like many other viruses, do not stay alive for very long especially on the product surfaces that are in transit for days.

There are two major ways that the virus can spread. Either people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes (which is the main way) or touching a surface or object that is contaminated with the virus then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. The second way is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Coronavirus can live up to two days on surfaces but loses its effect as time passes. Takeaway point - keep your 6-foot distance from people and do not touch your mouth, nose, or eyes after touching objects.

I heard African-American people cannot get coronavirus.

MYTH- The CDC clearly indicates that this is a virus that affects the respiratory system regardless of race. Everyone is at equal risk of getting COVID-19.

If I have Coronavirus I will likely end up in the ICU and die.

MYTH- The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that most people- in fact up to 80%- will recover on their own having mild to no symptoms at all. How the disease will affect you depends on age and other comorbidities you may have.

Orhan Hakli is available to speak with media about the virus as a contagious disease, prevention, myths, strains on the health care system and public health measures. He has recently been advising the food service industry on measures they can take to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. To book an interview – simply click on his icon to arrange a time.