COVID-19 and Social Media
A long-time friend and Insider asked if the following were true. I’m going to use excerpts because I don’t want someone to mistakenly think I endorse what’s being said. I don’t, and this Memo is going to point out where the lies exist. I can’t think of a nicer way of saying it because the people who write this stuff are not concerned about your health in the least. Maybe it’s just a bid for attention, I don’t know.
“The Self Test”
From the first social media post (Paula asked me to tell you the copy from social media hasn’t been edited; her appraisal is “Yikes.”):
“The new NCP coronavirus may not show sign of infection for many day. By the time they have fever and/or cough and goes to the hospital, the lungs is usually 50 % Fibrosis and it’s too late! Taiwan experts provide a simple self-check that we can do every morning: Take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stuffiness or tightness, etc., it proves there’s no fibrosis in the lungs, basically indicating no infection.”
The problem with many of these hoaxes is they contain at least one element of truth. COVID-19 may take a few days, maybe up to a week, to begin to show symptoms, generally a fever. The issue is that unless someone already has a fever, the infection would not have spread to the lungs.
There is no self-test that I could find. If it were true, wouldn’t everyone know it by now? (And that’s always a good question when you see health news that’s too good to be true.) More than that, fibrosis doesn’t seem to be the result of getting COVID-19.
“Serious Excellent Advice”
SERIOUS EXCELLENT ADVICE by Japanese doctors treating COVID-19 cases. Everyone should ensure your mouth & throat is moist, never DRY. Take a few sips of water every 15 mins at least. WHY? Even if the virus gets into your mouth…drinking water or other liquids will WASH them down through your oesophagus and into the stomach. Once there in tummy…your stomach ACID will kill all the virus. If you don’t drink enough water more regularly…the virus can enter your windpipes and into the LUNGS. That’s very dangerous.
Drinking fluids is important to your immune system, but there’s no relationship between your ability to drink every 15 minutes and killing the virus with stomach acid. Stop and think: this virus causes problems in the upper and especially the lower respiratory system. If water helps kill it, there are few places in the body more moist than the respiratory system.
“Spread the Word”
Pls send and share with family, friends and everyone about this ! Take care everyone n may the world recovers from corona virus soon. May all be well n happy.
There is always an appeal to share the posts, no matter which form of social media. I would recommend you not do that. These posts are misleading, and if your friends and family follow the advice and get sick… well. You get the point.
The Bottom Line
The medical news during a crisis is difficult enough to follow. Promoting people who post such nonsense slows down the process of educating people on what they really should do to protect themselves and reduce the risk of getting COVID-19. Part of helping others is not passing along incorrect information.
One More Thing
Dr. Chet’s seminar Nutrition for the 21st Century in Atlanta is in just two weeks! Reserve your spot today—when will you get another chance to hear me teach, live and in person? Check it out in the Dr. Chet store. Keep taking your vitamins and probiotics to keep your immune system strong, and I hope to see you there!
What are you prepared to do today?
