Coronavirus confusion

Are you having trouble keeping up with the constant flow of information and studies regarding Covid-19?

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented communication. Over the past five months, since the first reports of a deadly coronavirus outbreak in China, we have been bombarded with information, a lot of it contradictory. No wonder you might be feeling a little confused.

Here’s a summary of the some of the most significant contradictions.

 

There is no human-to-human transmission – There is human-to-human transmission.

It’s like flu – It’s worse than flu.

The virus originated from a market in Wuhan – The virus was synthesised in a lab.

Only old people are at risk – Children and young people are also at risk.

Wash your hands for 20 seconds – Wash your hands for 40 seconds.

Wash your hands with hand sanitiser – Wash your hands with soap and water.

Now is the time to go into lockdown – Now is not the time to go into lockdown.

A distance of 1 m from others is safe – Keep a distance of at least 1.5 m from others – Keep a distance of at least 2 m from others.

Keep hand sanitiser in the car – Don’t leave hand sanitiser in your car overnight.

Face masks are useless – You must wear a face mask.

The coronavirus spreads on surfaces – The coronavirus does not spread easily on surfaces.

It's dangerous to take Ibuprofen – It's safe to take Ibuprofen.

Be productive during lockdown – Don’t be productive during lockdown.

Herd immunity will protect us from Covid-19 – Herd immunity will not save us from Covid-19.

Herd immunity will be achieved in weeks – It takes years to achieve herd immunity.

Warm weather will stop the spread of the coronavirus – Warm weather will not stop the spread of the coronavirus.

You can’t get Covid-19 twice – You can get Covid-19 twice.

Children are super-spreaders – Children are not super-spreaders.

It’s too dangerous to reopen schools – It’s safe to reopen schools.

Runners are super-spreaders – Runners are not super-spreaders.

Inject disinfectant (if you believe Donald Trump) – Don’t inject disinfectant.

Vitamin D protects you from Covid-19 – Vitamin D does not protect you from Covid-19.

Vitamin C protects you from Covid-19 – Vitamin C does not protect you from Covid-19.

Now is the time to come out of lockdown – Now is not the time to come out of lockdown.

Sweden was right not to go into lockdown – Sweden was wrong not to go into lockdown.

You can’t go on holiday – You can go on holiday.

Temperature checks at airports are essential – Temperature checks at airports are useless.

Now is the right time to introduce a quarantine for international arrivals – Introducing a quarantine for international arrivals now makes no sense.

A vaccine will be available in September – We might never have a vaccine.

Writing a blog is a good idea – Writing a blog is a terrible idea.

 

The list is endless. Please let me know if I left anything out.

*Image created by Ruth Burrows. Submitted for United Nations Global Call Out To Creatives - help stop the spread of COVID-19.