With the outbreak of COVID-19 comes a lot of speculation, much of it is incorrect and damaging. Here are five COVID-19 myths to look out for:

#1: You cannot contract the virus if you live in a certain climate. 

According to the WHO, the virus can spread in any climate. Just because one lives in a cold or warm environment does not leave them any more susceptible or safe from the virus. Everyone should take precautions to ensure they do not get or spread the virus. 

#2: Due to my young age, I cannot contract the virus/Due to my old age, if I get the virus I will become extremely sick and die.

Although WHO provided evidence that older people remain at higher risk for complications associated with the virus, anyone can contract it and experience symptoms. One’s age does not mean they have less of a chance of contracting COVID-19.

Although a correlation exists between older patients and greater symptoms, people of any age can contract the virus and recover from it. If one does come down with COVID-19 symptoms, do not panic. Instead, get tested, and if symptoms worsen significantly, contact a health professional.

#3: Drinking water every 15 minutes will prevent me from contracting COVID-19.

At the start of the spread of the virus in the United States, an article emerged that gave off the idea that drinking water every 15 minutes would prevent the virus from entering the lungs. However, according to epidemiologist Kalpana Sabapathy’s interview with BBC, this is not the case. While drinking water keeps one’s body strong and hydrated, it does not prevent one from contracting the virus. 

#4: Taking antibiotics will help me if I catch COVID-19.

Antibiotics only help cure sickness caused by bacteria, not viruses such as the novel coronavirus. Further, no medicine has been proven to cure COVID-19 to date.

#5: People of any one race are more or less likely to catch the virus than anyone else.

Anyone and everyone can catch the virus. Members of one race of people do not have any greater or lesser chance of catching the virus than others. Everyone should take precautions against the virus and follow state and federal guidelines.