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.
