Shuffling from the living room and bedroom, our lives in confinement have finally started to take its toll on our social life. We have sealed our days of isolation with eating, sleeping, and scrolling [repeat!]. Every social aspect of life has taken a backseat. Especially dating. Right? But who says it has to be that way? Who says social distancing should halt the fun of dating altogether? Nobody!  

Tips On Dating While Social Distancing

We are social creatures who need relationships and intimacy – physical, emotional, or sexual – to lead a healthy mindful life. This zombie life can only go on a few days until we lose our mind. Because intimacy is a major part of our health that relaxes our minds and saves from crumbling under heightened stress. The COVID-19 outbreak restricts us from going out and is socially active, which is what we humans are basically made for. [Not you, introverts!] However, social distancing doesn’t completely restrict us from dating. Now popes the frequently asked question from people who voice their concerns about dating. “Dating while social distancing? How?” 

Relax, it’s not impossible. When we think of a long-distance relationship, all our worries would be solely on lack of physical intimacy. How do you think couples in long-distance relationships successfully work it out by overcoming the trouble of lack of physical intimacy? By understanding and communicating with each other, which social distancing doesn’t restrict us from. All thanks to the virtual world, dating has never been easier! If you are pondering on tips on dating while social distancing, start scrolling!

Date Online – Make Use Of The Virtual World!

Have you watched the movie Five Feet Apart? In the movie, the couple is forced to keep a five feet distance from each other to stay alive and not get infected. The tearjerker movie shows us how important it is to maintain the distance. But the distance doesn’t stop them from getting to know each other and having fun. Likewise, you have a whole digital world at your fingertips without having to put your relationship status on hold. 

If you are single, you don’t have to pull at your hair thinking the world has ended for you. 2020 is the year that has already taken the dating world to another level by creating platforms for even the most introverted person to stay comfortable. If you are already in a committed relationship, stop picking your nails because you can make this work better! And if you are stuck on quarantine with your partner, I hope you come out of quarantine with a sane head and not a murder charge on your head. 

All jokes apart, dating while social distancing is not as difficult as you picture it. With some effort from both sides, you can make the relationship healthy. To swim and not drown in the midst of all, read some tips on dating while social distancing to keep the relationship afloat.

Play Virtual Games Together

There are countless games you can play online that can help you kill the time you have. Thanks to the constantly changing technology, you can now play games online, together with your partner! You can either partner up and play with them or play against each other. Some games give you the advanced option of talking to each other while playing. There are numerous apps and websites out there to play virtual games together. 

One such game is “House Party”, the face to face social network, in which you can video call and play games with your partner. Games include Trivia, Ellen DeGeneres-inspired Heads Up!, Quick Draw!, and Chips and Guac. It is available on Android, iOS, iPad, and macOS. Other time-killing virtual games are “Jackaroo”, a card game and “Yalla Ludo” in which you can play ludo with your partner and talk through the mic simultaneously, and many other games. Incredible, isn’t? How the virtual world makes us feel the presence of our loved ones even when they are not physically present! 

Watch Movies and TV Shows Together

Pop a bowl of popcorn or grab a tub of icecream to watch movies or TV shows together with your partner. Plan movie nights and enjoy watching them by screaming at the screen during a scary scene or laugh together at a funny scene. There are chrome extensions such as Netflix Party, Meta stream, and Scener that allow you to watch movies and streaming media online with your partner. There are many quarantine-recommended movies and TV shows(1) you can binge-watch without interruption. You can watch TV together on FaceTime too.

How to set up Netflix Party(2): Go to Netflix’s website. Choose any movie or show you would like to watch and play the video. Click on the red “NP” icon next to the address bar to create your party. Then click “Start Party” to get the party started, and share the party URL to your partner to invite him to the party.

Plan Virtual Dates

Although you can’t physically go on dates, you can plan several virtual dates! Choose a time that will be perfect for both of you and video calls using different apps such as Zoom, Google Hangout, FaceTime, Skype instead of speaking on the phone. You will feel their presence more with video calls. Plan what you will be doing on the date. You can even surprise your partner by ordering his/her favorite food for them before the date(3). 

Take as much effort you would take before going on a date. Choose the pretty dress that makes you confident and dress up for the occasion. You can have dinner together while video calling or you can cook dinner together. You can play games, play loud music and dance together, anything that is possible to do over a video call. Try not to scroll down your phone, just like how you would try not to when you are on a real date. 

If your dating has just started, decide on a day and time to have a virtual first date. But if you are not comfortable with video calling just yet, talk to your partner about it. You can find other fun activities to do!

Cook Or Bake Favorite Recipes

Put your chef caps on ladies! There are so many easy but yummy recipes you can learn online. Search up different recipes and decide one recipe with a few ingredients that will be easy for both of you. So that you don’t have to worry about not having enough ingredients. There are easily accessible apps with recipes available for both iOS and Android. Or you can try persuading your grandmother to tell you her “magic recipe”. Pick a recipe, keep your phone in a good spot in the kitchen, and try to make it simultaneously. You can learn about each other’s tastes better while cooking together.

Cooking and baking can be both relaxing and fun but innately messy, all the while testing your patience. You can watch how your partner works under stress that a simple recipe brings, which takes not much effort. Sharing that intimacy will strengthen your relationship too.

Take Online Classes Together

Another fun thing to do is to find a common online class you can both join. Discuss things you both want to learn about and decide on one topic which you can join virtual classes for(4). This will give you something new to talk about and it will be something you both have in common! There are many topics available online. You can learn new skills, new languages, business classes, etc. Join virtual clubs or watch virtual events to spend some time together and have a discussion after. 

Workout Together

You must have heard more often how to quarantine should be used to build new hobbies and productive habits. With the COIVD-19 outbreak, our health is a priority we should focus on. So why not build a workout hobby with your partner? You can video call and workout together and motivate each other to do more pushups and situps! You can find an online trainer or use the same workout apps or YouTube tutorials. Getting regular exercise routine will help you stay fit both physically and mentally(5). 

Take A Walk Around The Neighborhood On Call

While social distancing, it’s important you stay 6 feet away from everyone outside. But having a stroll down your neighborhood is still on the table. Call your partner and go for a walk to the park near you, the fewer the people, the better. Put your phone away and use a pair of earbuds to talk to your partner. It will almost feel like you are walking beside them. It’s important that you take some time off the screen (6) to feel closer to your partner. Narrate your surroundings and the weather and how you feel. You will get some fresh air too. 

Make Time For Each Other

It is easy to get distracted and lose track of time when you are living through isolated days. So, plan a specific time convenient to both of you to a phone call or video call each other [don’t forget to charge your device]. Put on some relaxing music and talk to each other about your day, your post-quarantine plans and what you both intend to do together [places to travel to, restaurants to try, concerts to go, etc], read to each other. Have some drinks and talk, just like how you would do when your partner is with you physically.

However, it is important to know that not everyone is on the phone 24/7 just because it’s quarantine. It is not either of your faults if you forget about the planned time because one of you must have got busy with something important, or slept through the time. Be patient and don’t get mad if your partner has a valid reason for missing the planned time. Talk it out and plan another time. 

Flirt Through Texts

The best and easy way to romanticize your relationship? Flirting shamelessly!

Let your fingers move along the keypad with a few emojis to lure your partner into you. Relax and have some fun to heat the conversations. Even if you are texting a stranger from an online dating app, flirting is the single most effective way to build the chemistry. There are many apps you can meet and date people of your like and choice such as Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid.

All of these apps have gained more downloads and an increase in daily conversations now. The odds of you finding the right partner in other isolated strangers is high right now. However, keep in mind that if you go to these apps when you are already in a negative space [lonely and bored], it might not be healthy for you.  

Write Love Letters 

Do you want to give your partner a hearty surprise? Write love letters to them. With texts and emails replacing the good old letters, get a little fancy and write long letters expressing your love for them. Take your inner Wordsworth out and be a romantic lover. You can write anything you want in there; write about your day, shared dreams and memories you are fond of, what you love about them, how much they mean to you.

Or you can write a short letter with a poem if you are not good with words. It’s not about the length of the letter, it is about the thought and effort of the action that will be dear to them. Imagine the surprised look on their face when there is an unexpected letter delivered to them by a mailman? And the way their fingers will be tingling with anticipation while tearing it open. Any unprompted gift is a sweet gesture.

Communicate With Each Other

Communication is the key to any successful relationship. It was always important, but now it has become essential. Talk about anything and everything because you have enough time to vent. You don’t have to talk only about coronavirus. There are a million things for you to start conversations on.

The quarantine will give enough time to communicate more to connect deeply on an emotional level and get to know each other. Build friendship, trust, and emotional dependency, reconnect with your distant partner, share values, and learn what they enjoy. You can also share memes through social media to laugh together. 

Take Time For Yourself

Just because you are social distancing doesn’t mean that you need to communicate constantly. It might get exhausting after a few days. Yes, you are supposed to be interconnected, but there is no pressure to be with each other the whole time. Give space for each other and talk about boundaries for they must know. Do your things alone. 

These tips on dating while social distancing could be your best decision on quarantine. Especially for introverts who are relieved for not having to leave the house and be socially active to lead a healthy relationship. The virtual world has only made things easier for them. Perhaps extroverts can learn one or two from introverts who are fluent in virtual dating.  

RESOURCES

1. SoulFactors. @soul.factors. Best Netflix Series You Can Watch During Quarantine. [Online] Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-G3uibJY2-/
2. netflixparty.com. A new way to watch Netflix together. [Online] Available at: https://www.netflixparty.com/
3. Nesweek. (2020). Dating Experts Advise How Couples Can Keep The Spark Going During Coronavirus Social Distancing And Home Isolation. [Online] Available at: https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-social-distancing-relationships-1494618
4. Businessinsider.in. 6 places to take free and affordable classes online, on everything from programming to photography. [Online] Available at: https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/6-places-to-take-free-and-affordable-classes-online
5. State of Victoria. (2020). Physical activity – it’s important. [Online] Available at:https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/physical-activity-its-important
6. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d). Tips to Reduce Screen Time. [Online] Available at:https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/reduce-screen-time/tips-to-reduce-screen-time.htm

If anyone had told me at the beginning of the year that we would all be self-isolating to this extent by March, I would have spilled my coffee because of laughing hard. And probably shrugged that off with a sarcastic comment. My then brain wouldn’t have been able to imagine the whole world under lockdown because it frankly seemed surreal and unthinkable. But that’s the reality of what happens when a contagious disease puts the world on hold. 

Productive Coronavirus Quarantine 

I can bet on a thousand bucks that quarantine was not on your bucket list. Not mine either. But considering how the world works right now, not being on quarantine would be a mistake of being both stupid and selfish. So, take full advantage of this shot you are given while you are at it. Come to think of it, isn’t this all we wanted? Time. Time to relax, time to do all chores at home, time to pamper your body, time to do everything on your to-do list. Of course, not the way we wanted.

But this is the time you can turn your life around by building habits that can bring effective changes in your life. Some of your quarantine confined at home would be productive and fruitful while others’ quarantine would be an endless cycle of anxiety and angst, which is inevitable and completely normal. Nobody is mentally prepared for a dead halt in this fast-paced life. Nevertheless, anyone can change their state of mind by distracting the mind with productive activities. Get your lazy self up and going to do some quality work!

Home Quarantine Hacks

Are you bored of not having anything to do? There is an entire song [When Will My Life Begin] about things to do while self-isolation in the movie Tangled. The list is neverending! The good news of this uninterrupted time is that now you have all the time in the world to do everything you thought of not doing because of the lack of time. To kill the time you have in your hands, get productive while keeping yourself entertained. You can use these home quarantine hacks to distract your agitated mind and busy yourself before the uneasiness kills your mood. 

Turn Self-Isolation To Self-Reflection

When was the last time you sat with your own thoughts? When was the last time you pondered on the roots of your thoughts and actions? We spend too much time on social media reading others’ thoughts and opinions, don’t we? Reading others’ thoughts and feelings will make us mimic them instead of growing from within. A plagiarised self is a prison for the soul. Let this time be the time to reflect and know yourself in the raw state. For that, try these home quarantine hacks below.

• Do a massive to-do list to help you track down the time and everyday activities. Set goals you want to achieve by the time you come out of quarantine or your goals of the year 2020.
• Read and reflect. Be intellectually curious to know more. Read books, ebooks, guides, blogs, newsletters, reports, journals, magazine articles, biographies of successful minds, etc that will help you reflect.
• Start writing journals to help your mind to relax by slowing down your running thoughts. Writing always helps your mind. Even when you get angry at your partner, parents, siblings, friends, or kids, go write a note to yourself and vent, instead of lashing out.
• Listen to podcasts on any topics you are interested in.
• Watch documentaries such as Planet Earth to learn more -history, earth, animals, human health, successful people, mindfulness.
• Learn about mental and emotional health and how to take care of it.
• Join virtual clubs and social media groups to get psychological assistance and self-awareness.
• Watch inspiring and self-improvement TED talks, interviews and take notes. 
• Do online social works, if you are interested.
• Build these productive habits because it takes 21 days to form a habit. You have enough time to build one.
• Take little naps to give yourself a break.

Discover Your Inner Artistic Muscle

Did you know that Marry Shelley wrote Frankenstein during a lockdown? She used the time she had for herself and created something extraordinary that showed her sheer brilliance. If quarantine is not the time to pull out your inner artistic self, I don’t know what is. This is the perfect time to discover the artist in you and make use of it. Besides, our life is online now. There is nothing you won’t get online. You can try anything online and discover yourself online! Try these listed below to strike an artist chord inside you. 

• Paint whatever that comes to your head. Or you can take references from Google and paint one like that. Make mistakes, use the wrong colors, paint outside the line; you don’t need to get anything perfect either. Areeba Siddique(1) creates stunning art you can get inspired from. You can even paint the walls of your home in a creative way!
• You can use different apps and websites to paint virtually and create digital art. There are apps to create digital illustrations. 
• Draw your self-portrait by standing in front of the mirror. Draw an image of landscape or plants(2) or a puppy or any sort that you like. Or trace the image and draw which doesn’t take much effort.
• Try bottle art on transparent glass bottles.
• Do the art of bullet journaling with a few color pens, washi tapes, and pictures or pages from books and magazines. 

• Create a photo album with printed pictures, decorate it in your taste and add a small caption to each memory. Or create a photo wall with pictures of your family, friends, quotes, etc with fairy lights snaking around them. This will give your home a whole new feel. 
• Create your own art space with all of your art supplies, quotes that inspire and move you, your dreams and places, and just anything you want. Maybe add a few planters with little cactus to give life to the art space.  
• If there is any musical instrument under your bed, dusting and rusting away, take it out and play it. 
• Tap your muse and create art with your words. Write poems, stories, short stories, or anything that comes to your mind. Don’t forget that this is for you, not for social media. You can write anything!
• Write letters to your friends and family members to post after the quarantine. Who writes letters now! You can always bring the art of letters back. 
• Make creative cards and write meaningful messages. You can write letters as a birthday present or anniversary gift. Pile them up to give them to your friends and family when the time comes up.
• Learn calligraphy from YouTube.
• Learn how to make origami. 
• Recreate different DIY crafts from Pinterest.
• Try stitching scarves or embroidery with different colors of threads. 

Put Your Green Pants On

Communing with nature is another way to calm your mind and body. You must have seen many people on social media putting their green pants and taking a walk in their backyards. Keep in mind the listed below to reconnect with your green life with limited space.

• Grow your own garden with beautiful plants and flowers because gardening is one of the most de-stressing activities.
• Plant a tree, new saplings, and seeds and grow your green friends.
• Clean and tend your garden and backyard. 
• Set up your balcony with plants in colored planters. You can paint your planters with vibrant colors or any paints you have at home.
• Learn how to make a terrarium in easy steps from YouTube.
• Set up your own vegetable garden on your terrace or garden.
• Take a walk or run in the park near you where there are fewer people. Keep your distance from people. 
• Take a few moments to watch sunrise and sunset every day.  

Cultivate The Deep And Heavy Work

It may seem hard to get up from the bed every morning and anyone would love to stay in. But in order to have a productive quarantine, you need to get up and get going! Make a small checklist every day by breaking tasks into smaller pieces. Try to complete the list before bed. Make some time to sit and do nothing because it is important that you take small breaks. There are many heavy tasks you need to take care of and here’s the list you should assess.

• Talk to your financial planner to lay out a budget to save some money. COVID-19 has buzzed the market and it’s no surprise many of you are concerned about your money. Knowing where it goes will make you feel prepared.
• Pay your bills if they are due. 
• Learn about your health insurance in detail and clear your doubts. If you haven’t got the insurance yet, apply after going through the details. 
• Donate to different organizations to help others get through this battle financially. Donate to health workers, neighbors and relatives what they lack such as face masks, sanitizers, etc(3). 
• Exercise and get fit. It is important to take care of your physical health during a pandemic. Create a playlist and do a family workout session at least four times a week. This will help you steam off the stress too. There are many apps you can install from Google Play or App Store to get an online trainer [8Fit, Seven, Sworkit]. Many trainers are going live on social media to motivate and help others to do the workout with them. LA Thoma(4) goes live on Instagram twice a week to exercise along with her followers.
• Take a breather and meditate to bring down your stress level. Learn some yoga postures and take a few deep breaths. Do the yoga postures after waking up.
• If you are working from home, do your work on time without procrastinating. Get cozy somewhere with sunrays to do your work. Sunlight will lift your mood. Move your body from time to time instead of sitting in one position for a long time.
• If you are a student, do your assignments or seminars. You can always binge watch TV shows after you are done.
• Help around the house and give them a hand. 

Take The Huge Guns Out To Light

There is always some work that often takes a backseat with the excuse of “limited hours”. Too bad, you can’t use that excuse anymore. Everyone has at least one such chore that never gets done. With quarantine, you can effortlessly finish those that you have been meaning to get around forever.  

• Read that thick book you have been wanting to read for a long time. You can read now without any distractions.
• Build your personal website, a video blogging channel, write blog posts or update the existing website.
• If you are thinking of starting a business(5) or are already running a startup, check these apps to get things done easily: Preview App, Monday, Calendly.
• Start writing a novel or finish the book you were working on. You have enough time to complete it.
• There are many online classes for free for technical classes, business courses, academic courses, and many more that can get you certified. Learn to code, a new language, investing, new profitable skills, how to cook, etc(6). Check out these apps or websites for free online courses: Duolingo, Udemy, Skillshare, and Coursera.
• Declutter your laptop and mobile phone by deleting the junk files, unwanted images and videos, and clearing caches. 
• Deep clean your house; every nook and cranny. Everything from blinds and window sills to mirrors and ceiling fan blades. Clear out the kitchen and refrigerator. A spring clean is necessary, especially with coronavirus.
• While cleaning, you can redecorate your house by replacing any furniture or adding any piece of art of craft you created. 
• Declutter your closet by clearing the closet. Put everything into two piles. Put away the ones you don’t wear anymore to donate or trash. Organize the other pile neatly back to the closet.
• Cleanse your face and hair deeply with face masks and hair masks. 
• Take a relaxing bubble bath after exfoliating your dry skin(7). 
• Dye your hair. 
• Learn many cooking recipes, especially your favorite ones and easy ones, and tape them on your refrigerator. Find healthy recipes too.

Have Some Fun To Feel Lighter

You don’t always have to follow some strict routine to be productive. At times, letting go of all the worries about unfinished works and entertaining yourself with some fun is also being productive. This quarantine is basically for Netflix and Chill! in your bed or couch with a huge bowl of popcorn. Now here’s a list of fun activities you can do to keep yourself and others at home entertained. 

• Do puzzles, board games and card games that can make your brain work. Or play some games that are purely for fun i.e., truth or dare. You can play games online too.
• Do an indoor treasure hunt with your family members and give the winner a unique price.
• Interview each other to know more about them deeply. You can always Google the questions to ask. 
• One creative and fun game is to play a movie and mute the audio. Let the members of your family create dialogues for the movie. You have no idea how much you will laugh.
• Create a playlist of your favorite songs and dance it out! Or join an online dance class.
• Do a family karaoke.
• Video call your friends and family to get in touch with them. Support and love are what everyone needs when social distancing.
• If you are a Mom, spend time with your kids and set up different fun activities and games for them.
• Make a list of places you want to go after quarantine; museum, concerts, events, and so on.
• Read those novels you read for leisure. And perhaps join a book club.
• Watch YouTube vlogs of your interest and catch up on your favorite vloggers’ channels you were missing out.
• Watch movies and TV shows of all genres online. Everything is at the tip of your finger. There are movies and shows of every kind from something light and funny to dark and strong that reaches down to your soul. 

Marvel series [23 movies], Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, Where’d You Go Bernadette, The Vow, About Time, Black Swan, Hacksaw Ridge, Inception, and the list would go on if I don’t stop. If you haven’t watched these movies already, what are you waiting for?! 

I strongly recommend these TV shows: 

1. Friends – if you want to get a stomach ache from laughing hard. 
2. Grey’s Anatomy – if you want some drama to cry over. After 16 seasons of Grey’s, I feel like I am totally ready to scrub in and do open-heart surgery.
3. Sherlock Holmes – if you want to laugh over some mind-blowing detective stories. 
4. Breaking Bad – if you want your mind blown with amazement. 
5. Money Heist – if you want some thrill to keep you on the edge of your chair.
6. Grace and Frankie – if you want some time to live on the beach house without men.
7. Killing Eve – if you want some Lady James Bond action. 

• Try the many social media #quarantinechallenges to fill your time and challenge your friends to do the same. 
• Take pictures and videos of your family, even when they are thinking and not doing anything, and make a film of every video by the end of quarantine.  

You have a lot of things to do to have a productive quarantine apparently. I hope these home quarantine hacks have helped you clear your head and urged you to use and try some of the aforementioned hacks. Adopt these hacks because it is easy to lose track of time amid a lockdown. You have too much time now, use it wisely.

RESOURCES

1. Areeba Siddique. @ohareeba. stunning art you can get inspired from. [online] Available at: https://www.instagram.com/ohareeba/
2. PlantaeByZia. @plantae.by.zia. Draw an image of landscape or plants. [online] Available at: https://www.instagram.com/plantae.by.zia/
3. Forbes Media LLC. (2020). How To Stay Productive Under Quarantine. [Online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephanieburns/2020/03/25/how-to-stay-productive-under-quarantine/#c00524f6a801
4. Dr. LA Thoma Gustin. @lathoma3. Workout. [Online] Available at: https://www.instagram.com/lathoma3/?hl=en
5. Menlo Media S.L. (2020). 10 cool productivity tools for startups to explore during the quarantine. [Online] Available at: https://www.eu-startups.com/2020/03/10-cool-productivity-tools-for-startups-to-explore-during-quarantine/
6. Security Bank Corporation. (2020). How To Be Productive At Home During Quarantine. [Online] Available at: https://www.securitybank.com/blog/productive-things-to-do-during-quarantine/
7. Words of Women. (2020). 9 Beautiful Things You Could Be Doing With Your Time. [Online] Available at: https://wordsofwomen.com/8-beautiful-things-you-could-be-doing-with-your-time/

With the coronavirus addressed as a global pandemic and almost every country in the world on lockdown, people are bound to get fearful and believe everything they read. Without confirming what’s right and wrong. 

Do you know what is more alarming than fear of the virus itself? Panic. Believing the myths for facts and spreading misinformation while creating unnecessary fear among others is alarming. We do not want fear in this crucial time, instead, all we need is reality checked facts to create awareness for appropriate action. We need proper risk communication to fight enemies like panic and fear. 

Don’t Fall For These Myths About The Coronavirus!

Do not be misinformed because misguided advice is no help in times of a crisis. To educate yourself and others, it is crucial that you know what is a fact and what is a myth. After reading this article, do not fall for these myths about the coronavirus stated below.

Corona Is The Deadliest Virus Known To Mankind

This is the most common misconception the world is wrapped around. We hear many people, even adults who have access to all kinds of credible information, saying with fear:

“If you are infected, you’re going to die.” 

“If I am tested positive, there is no turning back.”

“Coronavirus is our endgame.”

Yes, all of us are eventually going to die. But it doesn’t necessarily be from the virus. 

Compared to many other pathogens like Ebola [50% fatal], influenza, and rabies viruses [almost 100% fatal], coronavirus is nowhere near deadly like them. Considering the fatality rate of the virus, which is 2%, you don’t have to panic over dying from coronavirus. About 81% of the people infected have mild cases of COVID-19. 

Besides, have you heard of the number of recovered people from coronavirus? Out of 10,05,507 infected, 210,555 are recovered. Most recently a 102-year-old woman from Italy recovered after staying 20 days in the hospital. Incredible, right? 

“Only” Elders And Children Will Be Infected  

Yes, it is true that elderly people are more vulnerable to get infected. However, that doesn’t mean that younger people can sit back and relax, or worse, go out and not isolate. It is all about how healthy your body is. If your immune system is good enough to fight the infection, you will have the chance to recover quickly if infected. But people with underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, be it young or elderly, chances of getting infected is higher and will be severely ill in no time. 

Any human who is exposed to the virus will get infected. As the immunity power of elderly people and children is weaker than young people, they are more likely to get infected. As a human being, it is your duty to take all the precautions to protect yourself from getting infected and from spreading the virus to others. No matter what age, people of all ages should follow the WHO hygiene instructions. 

Wearing Masks Will Prevent The Infection

The surgical face masks will not fit tightly to your face. Hence, you shouldn’t stock up the masks hoping that will save you from getting infected. Unless you use an N95 respirator mask that stays flush on your face, you will be taking the masks of health care workers and patients who need them more than you do.

The sole purpose of the surgical mask is to prevent your droplets from mouth or nose from getting into someone else’s airways. Because coronavirus is a respiratory virus, thus surgical masks cannot block that. If in case you need to wear one [going to a crowded space or to take care of a positive suspect], it should be worn in such a way that there shouldn’t be space for the droplets to go inside the mask from the sides.

People with respiratory disease or cold should wear these to lessen the chances of infecting others as they are effective at capturing droplets from your mouth to anyone else. Wearing surgical masks is mainly for protecting others from you, not the other way round. 

Vaccination Is Ready To Cure The Virus

Developing a vaccine that is both effective and safe for human beings is not easy. That will require at least 12 to 18 months of research and hard work. Scientists around the world are studying literally everything about the virus every day to pinpoint any significant clue that could lead them to a successful vaccine. As of now, a respiratory illness vaccine is recommended to protect your health. 

Cats And Dogs Will Spread The Virus

The virus is transmitting to humans. Many pets didn’t get infected while their owners did. It is not proven that cats and dogs will spread the virus to humans even if they get infected. 

Thermal Scanners Can Diagnose 

Thermal scanners can detect people who have a fever when your body temperature is higher than normal body temperature. However, they cannot diagnose whether you are infected or not. Because it takes 2 to 10 days for people who are infected to become sick and develop a fever. You need to go through several tests done by the doctors to know for sure about being infected. Another misconception is that if you got infected, “you will know” which is not true. Not everyone with the virus knew beforehand as it may even take 14 to 27 days to show the symptoms. No thermal scanner can diagnose the virus.

Chinese Food And Products Carry The Virus To Other Countries 

Parcels and products from China cannot carry the virus beyond an extended time. The CDC(1) explains that “because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures.” But if you fear getting infected, sanitize the product before touching and wash your hands with soap after touching it(2). You can have Chinese food from New York as they cannot carry the virus.

5G Network Caused Coronavirus

It is widely believed that the radio signals that 5G uses could cause cancer and other health problems. Even if the controversy of the wireless service causing COVID-19 is not surprising, it is a myth. These wireless networks do not produce energy that directly damages cells. There is no proven link between cellphones and cancer. Hence 5G did not cause coronavirus.

Coronavirus Is Just Like Any Other Flu

Some of you might kick the coronavirus to the curb saying it is just another flu. Especially when some people experience less severe symptoms and consider the virus as just another flu. Coronavirus is 10 ten times more deadly than seasonal flu that many of you never give a second thought to (3). But with this, it is important that you take precautions. 

You Have To Be With An Infected Person For 10 Minutes To Get Infected

It is possible to get infected with shorter interactions too. You can get infected by being with an infected person for less than ten minutes if there is close contact. You will inhale the virus coming out of the infected person in the form of droplets with close contact(4). You can pick up the virus from contaminated surfaces too which is considered as a less common route. 

Vaccine For Pneumonia And Flu Will Protect You From COVID

COVID-19 is different from any other virus and it needs its own vaccination that is yet to be found. Vaccination for pneumonia and flu will not provide protection against coronavirus. 

Yoga And Other Home Remedies Will Save You

Yoga is a wonderful remedy for living a healthy life. But it cannot cure coronavirus. And there is no home remedy that can save you from coronavirus. If you experience any symptom at all, go to the hospital immediately to get tested. Do not waste your time by doing yoga or making home remedies to find a cure yourself.

Holding Breath For 10 Seconds Confirms You Are Not Infected

Social media is floating with many “test-yourself” misleading tests that many of us fall for. One of them is trying to hold the breath for 10 seconds to know if you are infected or not. No tests at home done yourself can diagnose the virus. To get the proper diagnosis, you need several laboratory tests done by your doctor. If you feel shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, call your healthcare provider. 

The Sun And The Snow Will Kill The Virus

This is one of the widely spread myths about coronavirus(5). According to WHO, the virus can be transmitted in all areas of the globe, including hot climates. Neither the cold weather and snow nor sun exposure and humid climate will kill the virus. Taking a hot bath won’t cure coronavirus nor will it prevent getting infected.

Standing in the sun will not help you from coronavirus. It is yet to prove that temperature changes will influence COVID-19 any differently. The normal body temperature will continue to remain around 36.5°C to 37°C, no matter what the external temperature is. 

Spraying Alcohol And Chlorine On The Body Is Prevention

If the virus has entered your body, no matter what you do, the damage is done. You cannot alter the damage by spraying your body with alcohol or chlorine because the virus will be inside the body. This is an outright dangerous myth people believe in! Rubbing alcohol or chlorine will cause serious health problems, even death. Do not spray these harmful disinfectants on your body or clothes as they are not prevention against the virus.

Coronavirus Can Be Transmitted Through Mosquitoes

There is no evidence yet that coronavirus can be transmitted through mosquitoes. The virus is transmitted through the droplets coming from an infected when they cough or sneeze, not through mosquitoes. 

Taking Antibiotics And Vitamin C Supplements Will Help You Cure The Virus

Like we have discussed already, the novel coronavirus needs its own medicine to be cured of it completely. No amount of vitamin C supplements will help you cure the virus. Yes, vitamin C will help you boost your immune system, not cure the virus. Stocking up antibiotics and taking them regularly will not help you either. Antibiotics should be taken to fight the bacteria in your body, not coronavirus.

You Will Get Infected Through Blood Donation

Another myth about coronavirus is that you will get infected if you donate your blood. As the number of people getting infected is increasing, there will be a shortage of blood in hospitals. There are many patients who need blood. You will only get infected if they use the same syringe, which no hospital would do. The blood donation unit of the hospitals will be secured from the COVID-19 units with extra safety measures. You don’t have to worry about getting infected through blood donation.

Using Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer Will Set Your Hands On Fire

In order for your hands to be safe from getting infected, you need to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to kill the virus. But that doesn’t mean that your hands will get on fire. Unless you take loads of hand sanitizer and go near the fire, you will be fine. You should take a drop or two of the sanitizer and rub your hands together and within seconds the moisture will be evaporated. After your hands are dry, you are in no danger. As alcohol-based sanitizers are inflammable, keeping the bottle near the fire will set it on fire though. Keep the bottles away!

Drinking-Water, Eating Garlic, Lemon, And Herbs Will Prevent The Virus

We know that it is important to always stay hydrated. Always. We drink more water when we are sick. But drinking water will not save you from getting infected. Water cannot flush the virus that gets into your mouth to your stomach. No, it doesn’t work that way. 

While garlic is good for your immune system, eating it cannot protect you from being infected. Neither lemon nor herbs will prevent the virus. 

Rinsing The Nose With Saline And Gargling The Mouth With Bleach Is The Answer

Rinsing the nose with saline will help you recover quickly from a common cold, but not the coronavirus. It is pointless to try rinsing your nose with saline to fight the virus. Another absurd and dangerous myth about coronavirus is gargling your mouth with bleach to protect yourself. The only way to protect yourselves from the virus is frequent hand washing, avoiding touching mouth, nose, and eyes, and isolation. No amount of bleach, alcohol or saline will protect you from the virus. 

Prevention is better than cure, right? Take your stand and protect yourselves from getting infected and misinformed. Close your eyes and ears to the many easily believable myths about the virus without confirming what’s right and wrong. Because misconceptions of what can protect you will harm you in the end. Do not fall for these aforesaid myths about the coronavirus. So, educate yourself and others, stay home, and stay healthy. A little part of you might make a big difference to the global pandemic. 

[The information here is for informational purposes and not as medical advice. Do not hesitate to contact a qualified health provider to know about your medical condition.]

RESOURCES

1. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) FAQ. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
2. The Johns Hopkins University. (2020). TRUE or FALSE? A vaccine to cure COVID-19 is available. [online] Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/2019-novel-coronavirus-myth-versus-fact
3. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d). The epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19). [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32064853
4. CBS Interactive. (n.d). 8 coronavirus health myths, fact-checked. [online] Available at: https://www.cnet.com/news/johns-hopkins-pandemic-expert-says-coronavirus-covid-19-is-totally-unprecedented/
5. WHO. (2020). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters