Debunking five coronavirus myths or hoaxes you may have seen on social media

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As the number of people infected with the coronavirus grows each day in the United States, people are searching for ways to stay safe.

The best practices remain: social distancing, staying home if you’re sick and washing your hands with warm water and soap.

Unfortunately, a number of false cures or ways to determine if you have COVID-19 have been circulating on Twitter, Facebook and via text messages. There also have been rumors of a national lockdown.

Here is the truth about five of those myths/hoaxes.

1. Garlic

The promise of a coronavirus cure is offered on social media by simply using garlic. Chop eight garlic cloves and add to seven cups of water. Bring it to a boil and eat and drink the water and garlic. “Improved and cured” overnight one person promised.

“Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties,” the World Health Organization wrote. “However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.”

2. Drink warm water

Some people have shared that drinking warm water can combat the coronavirus because once in the stomach it will be killed by temperature of the water and stomach acid.

“The temperature of your drinking water has no impact on getting infected, treating infection, or rinsing the virus from your system,” Brandon Brown, an epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of California, Riverside, told Mother Jones. “Drinking an incredible amount of water also will not help. It is important to stay hydrated at all times, irrespective of any epidemic.”

3. Hand dryers

If this proved true, there would be a long line of people at public restrooms. But, no, the WHO says, hand dryers are not effective in killing COVID-19. But, again, you should wash your hands.

“To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.”

4. Hold your breath test

With tests in short supply, some people have read on social media about a test we can all do at home. If you can hold your breath for 10 seconds without difficulty, coughing or tightness in your chest, you don’t have the coronavirus. While that would be a relief, it’s simply another untrue claim.

“It is a bunch of nonsense thinking you can take a deep breath and figure out if you have coronavirus,” Dr. Dan McGee, a pediatric hospitalist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, told the “Today” show.

5. National lockdown looms

A message being shared via text messages among family and friends warns to stock up on food and other supplies. That’s because a national lockdown will be announced once troops are in place to prevent looting/rioting. Usually this from another person’s friend/family member who knows someone in the national guard.

National guard members have been called in to help with food banks in certain states, such as Ohio.

Some messages also cite President Trump activating the Stafford Act before mobilizing the armed forces.

President Trump did invoke the Stafford Act ... last week. Forbes notes the “Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 allows the federal government through FEMA to take advantage of a $50 billion fund for disaster relief.”

The National Security Council addressed the rumor: