COVID-19: Separate fact from fiction

Nurse washing hands during COVID-19 outbreak — Take this quiz to test your coronavirus knowledge.

With all news outlets and social media turned to 24/7 coverage of COVID-19, it can be hard to keep up with the latest news — and even harder to tell fact from fiction. Take this quiz to test your knowledge of the actual COVID-19 facts.

True or False?
Researchers are still learning about how COVID-19 spreads.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html

True. While experts believe that COVID-19 mainly spreads between people who are less than 6 feet apart, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is still more to learn about how it the virus is spread and how contagious it is. This is why the guidelines for mask-wearing and social distancing continue to evolve.

True or False? People who don’t have symptoms can’t spread COVID-19.

False. Studies have shown that people who have coronavirus but don’t have symptoms can still transmit the virus to others, as can those who eventually develop symptoms. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that everyone wear some type of cloth face covering when visiting essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies—while still staying at least 6 feet apart—to help prevent spreading the virus.

True or False? It is not safe to donate blood.

http://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/site/PageNavigator/COVID19_Support_InKind.html

False. If you are healthy, donating blood and platelets is especially helpful at this time. We are taking all appropriate safety measures to prevent the spread of COIVD-19, and encourage you to donate blood if you are able. Get more information on how to donate blood at Boston Children’s Hospital.

True or False? Antibacterial soap is no better than regular soap to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

True. There is no evidence that soaps containing antibacterial ingredients are more effective in getting rid of germs, such as COVID-19, than washing with plain liquid or bar soap. If you don’t have access to soap and water, you may also use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

True or False? There are already effective drugs available to treat COVID-19.

False. Currently there are no drugs approved to treat COVID-19. Researchers are looking at a few drugs that are approved for other uses to see if they might benefit patients with COVID-19, but it is not yet clear yet if any of them will work.

True or False? Mosquitoes cannot spread COVID-19.

True. COVID-19 is mainly believed to be spread from person to person. At this time, there is no data to suggest that COVID-19 is spread by mosquitoes or other insects, such as ticks.

True or False? Hot and humid weather will kill the COVID-19 virus.

Unlikely. Although many coronaviruses survive for shorter periods in hot and humid climates, it is not yet certain how hot and humid weather may affect COVID-19. Some hot and humid countries have reported cases of COVID-19.

True or False? Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds without coughing means you are free of coronavirus.

False. Despite what you may have heard on social media, there is no breathing exercise that can tell you if you have coronavirus. The only way to tell for sure is to have a laboratory test.

True or False? Frequent nasal rinses with saline can help prevent the virus.

False. There is no evidence that rinsing your nose with saline can protect you from the new coronavirus.

True or False? Getting a pneumonia vaccine can help protect you from COVID-19.

https://discoveries.childrenshospital.org/coronavirus-patient-safety/

False. Although pneumonia vaccines provide protection against pneumonia, they are not effective against the new coronavirus. However, researchers, including those at Boston Children’s, are working on developing a new vaccine to help prevent COVID-19 in the future.

Get more answers about Boston Children’s response to COVID-19.