Doctor's Twitter Thread Debunks Common Coronavirus Myths

Author image for Ada Elder
Ada Elder
Mar 19, 2020 11:00 AM EDT

We're all being inundated with information - and misinformation - regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Sometimes all the statistics and warnings can feel overwhelming. Dr. Faheem Younus took to Twitter yesterday in an attempt to clear some of these things up. In a Twitter thread, the Maryland-based doctor tackles common myths about the virus, from the claim that Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories worsen the symptoms, to concerns about whether or not people can go jogging during this trying time. While some of these seem like common knowledge to some people, it's important that we all stay informed and act responsibly. It's going to be a long few months, and a little bit of education goes a long way. 

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  • 01
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD @FaheemYounus Thread: Many of you have asked follow-up questions about COVID-19. Here is a crash course. 1/10: Is Ibuprofen bad for COVID-19. Should I use Tylenol instead? No. This is false. There are no studies proving this reckless opinion. Read more here: BBC NEWS Coronavirus and ibuprofen: Separating fact from fiction bbc com
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 02
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD O @FaheemYounus 2/10: Can Coronavirus mutate and become airborne? No. Even when viruses mutate, their mode of transmission does not change. Influenza virus has mutated many times, but it remains a droplet infection. 9:22 PM · 3/17/20 · Twitter Web App
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 03
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD @FaheemYounus 3/10: Can my pet catch COVID-19? Can I catch COVID from my pet? Extremely unlikely. CDC hasn't received any reports of pets becoming sick with coronavirus. But good hand hygiene and common sense must prevail. CDC CDC.gov/COVIDIS Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cdc aov.
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 04
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD O @FaheemYounus 4/10: My coworker's dad developed COVID-19. Am I at risk? No. If you're exposed to someone who was exposed to someone with COVID, you're fine. CDC recommends no testing on family members of those who were exposed to a COVID patient
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 05
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD O @FaheemYounus 5/10: Does garlic cure COVID-19? Bananas? Vitamin-C? Bananas are a fine fruit and garlic is a fine vegetable. But no. There are no clinical trials to suggest they have anti- coronavirus activity. Vitamin-C Is not even a fruit or a vegetable! 9:22 PM · 3/17/20 · Twitter Web App
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 06
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD O @FaheemYounus 6/10: I'm tired of staying home. Is it risky to go out for a run? Go. Run. Jog. Laugh. Just don't do it with loads of people. Our air isn't contaminated with coronavirus. 9:22 PM · 3/17/20 · Twitter Web App
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 07
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD O @FaheemYounus 7/10:1 just developed a sore throat and a runny nose. Is it COVID? Should I go to the hospital? Don't know. But chances are you may have a seasonal virus (Flu, RSV, Rhinovirus, etc.). Stay home. Hospitals won't do a test and you'll likely wait in the ED for hours. 9:22 PM · 3/17/20 · Twitter Web App
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 08
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD O @FaheemYounus 8/10: I've heard that coronavirus thrives in cold sinuses. So if you blow- dry your nose with warm air, it kills the virus. True? False! Please don't. Our nose carries bacteria, as part of normal flora. Those bacteria may get confused:) 9:22 PM · 3/17/20 · Twitter Web App
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 09
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD O @FaheemYounus 9/10: Do you develop immunity after getting COVID-19? We will know for sure in 2021. But if you put a gun next to my head and forced me to make a choice, l'd say YES. It's very likely that infected people will develop immunity. Not sure how long will the immunity last for... 9:22 PM · 3/17/20 · Twitter Web App
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 10
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD @FaheemYounus 10/10: Why is the virus infecting celebrities? Because COVID-19 doesn't discriminate. Coronavirus doesn't ask if you're white or black, Republican or Democrat, native or immigrant, rich or poor. It only asks: Are you human? 9:22 PM · 3/17/20 · Twitter Web App
    via @FaheemYounus
  • 11
    Text - Faheem Younus, MD O @FaheemYounus That's why - while honestly acknowledging our differences - we must unite. Band together, people. Let's follow the scientific evidence and win this war against coronavirus. See you on the other side of this pandemic! 9:22 PM · 3/17/20 · Twitter Web App
    via @FaheemYounus

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