Myths and facts about coronavirus COVID-19

With the global pandemic of the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 disease, there are lots of facts circulating on the Internet and other vehicles. While there is a lot of very good information, particularly at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/coronavirus, not everyone goes to that authoritative site for information. Below is a list of “facts” which has been widely circulated, with my comments, in italics, after each point. The important message is to use some common sense, and check the reliable sources for full information.

* The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code. (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.

Not exactly. This is an RNA virus, not a DNA virus. The action of the RNA is to infiltrate a cell and turn the cell into a machine to produce more replicas of the virus, not "convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells" -- that sounds more like cancer!

* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

Sure, kind of.

* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam). By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.

Actually, the foam is not cleaning, it is the layer of soap on your skin that does. Manufacturers often add foaming agents to allow you to see the foam so that you feel the soap is working better. It is the abrasion by rubbing for the 20 seconds that accomplishes the cleaning. Compounds in the soap called “surfactants” reduce the surface tension of the water, enabling lifting of soil and microbes from skin better than with water alone. One also tends to wash longer with the visible foaming of soap, which is why the foam is there!

* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees Celsius for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.

First off, 25 deg Celsius is 77 deg Fahrenheit, which is hardly hot water. To get the water hot enough to "melt the fat" would likely burn your skin. Again, the foam is irrelevant. The CDC guidelines include both hot and cold water for washing, both are equally effective.

* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.

Alcohol about 60% concentration is necessary to denature the protein of the virus. But go too high and it starts to denature the protein of your hands. It seems that 60% to 70% is the best range.

* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.

Bleach is a potent germicide, but it can be quite irritating as well. The CDC recommends a 2:100 dilution of household bleach, not 1:5. That’s four teaspoons of household bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) per quart of water. Remember to never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

* Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.

Not sure what the writer means by "oxygenated water." Hydrogen peroxide, a different compound than water, does have an extra oxygen atom per molecule, and is a good contact disinfectant, but should not be used on your skin routinely. 

* NO BACTERICIDE SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; they cannot kill what is not alive with antibiotics, but quickly disintegrate its structure with everything said.

Sure, I agree that bactericides do not necessary kill virus.

* NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only between 3 hours (fabric and porous), 4 hours (copper, because it is naturally antiseptic; and wood, because it removes all the moisture and does not let it peel off and disintegrates). ), 24 hours (cardboard), 42 hours (metal) and 72 hours (plastic). But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.

First, you are assuming that the virus is present in your environment, presumably with no one ill. Washing clothing clearly kills the virus, so shaking washed clothing would be no problem. The most potent vector is your hands, not random airborne virus particles. So, if you contact clothing that, for some reason, you think might be contaminated -- such as by going to a store and touching something -- wash your hands well before touching your face.

* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars. They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.

It is not clear if transmission of the virus or effects on the virus particle, itself, are temperature and humidity dependent. Also, different viruses respond differently to changes in the environment. There is not enough data on the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 to know the specifics of how it responds to such changes in temperature or humidity.

* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin, eventually causing wrinkles and skin cancer.

Ultraviolet light is germicidal, but to obtain a sufficient dose one would likely need to lie in a tanning bed or use special UV lamps. Neither of these is a practical measure. And, yes, such radiation is associated with the development of skin cancers.

* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.

Yes, I agree.

* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.

Yes, I agree

* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.

Yes, I agree.

* LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.

Original strength Listerine is about 27% alcohol. Others are lower, and some have no alcohol at all. So “no” to Listerine or other mouthwashes.

* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.

Sure, kind of. But it is the virus that enters your body that causes disease, not the ones that are in the environment.

* This is super said, but you have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.

Let's start with the last statement, you always had to wash your hands after urinating or defecating, and you still do. Because the primary vector for infection is your hands, after touching anything that may be contaminated, this mandates good handwashing, per CDC guidelines, after contact. There is nothing new or magical about this, it is something you should have been doing since you were a child. But remember that the vector for transmission is the virus entering your system through your mouth, nose, or eyes. It is most critical that you wash your hands before touching any of these orifices, eating, or such.

* You have to HUMIDIFY HANDS DRY from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.

You should use some moisturizer on your hands after washing as the frequent washing can lead to drying and cracking of your skin. Virus considerations aside. When using most moisturizers, use a quantity about as big as a pea to treat all surfaces. More than that and your hands may remain greasy and slippery, and you’d likely wash them again to get all of the moisturizer off, and never use it again.

*Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.

Sure, and wash under your nails when you wash your hands. If your nails are long, use a hand brush.

Please check out my other posts on the current situation, on Hand Washing, Flying, and DIY Hand Sanitizer!