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Covid-19: A few myths busted!

The world came to a halt with the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 popularly feared by the name of Coronavirus.

The World Health Organisation defines this virus as an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered Coronavirus (COVID-19). Most people infected with this disease will mild to moderate respiratory illness except older people and those with underlying medical problems such as diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases or cancer. They further say, The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow). At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments.

There was tremendous drama when China first introduced Coronavirus to the world. Everyone was contemplating different conspiracy theories about how this can happen, whether it is an accident or an intentional strategic move. From Asia to America, everyone’s hot favourite dining table topic was Coronavirus. Now, it is a substantial part of the lives of all these people.

As this virus spread around the globe and took on many casualties, side by side a more deadly virus was being regulated and spread by the media. This virus is called Fear. There has been an absolute absence of any positive news and a severe panic was endorsed all around. Even when many of us saw cleanest of skies and inhaled freshest air in a decade, 2020 has been termed as a year of apocalypse.

While understanding the seriousness of the situation, there has to be a way to look at positive in life which keeps us going. In a time when fear and hate mongering is being used for personal benefits, we would like to clarify certain important myths revolving around fresh food deliveries and their handling.

1. Coronavirus DOES NOT spread via food:

It is highly unlikely that people can contract COVID-19 from food or food packaging. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and the primary transmission route is through person-to- person contact and through direct contact with respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

There is no evidence to date of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses being transmitted via food or food packaging. Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food; they need an animal or human host to multiply.

2. Washing F & V has nothing to do with Coronavirus:

Washing the surface of fresh fruits & veggies only helps removing the bacterial presence on the surfaces, although there is no role of washing to avoid transmission of Covid-19 or any other virus so to say.

Caution can often become paranoia when fear gets involved. This is what is currently happening. People are going bizarre with the obsession of cleaning fresh food. Some are turning to use of chemical detergents irrespective of how detrimental they are to their digestion. While some are using home remedies like vinegar, baking soda or turmeric water solution to clean the fresh fruit & veggies.

We would like to state a scientific fact which clarifies the whole discussion – Coronavirus is a respiratory virus: it has to be inhaled to cause infection; and not ingested. So, that is what we need to safeguard against.

3. Keeping the fresh food in direct sunlight:

There is no evidence of proof that keeping fresh grocery in direct sunlight helps fight Coronavirus. In fact, this is yet another myth converted into a superstition. Heat does not affect this virus whatsoever.

There is more harm than good which can be done putting fresh veggies like Lettuces in direct sunlight.

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While it is tempting and often easy to ride the popular opinion, we must take some time off to introspect, investigate and educate ourselves. In the end, in the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself".