While the novel COVID-19 is spreading its deadly virus affecting millions of people around the globe, news articles and the internet are buzzing with social media posts spreading dangerous opinions about slaying the dreaded disease.
Tragically, this tenacious surge of information can make it hard to isolate fact from fiction. Rumors and disinformation add to the woes plaguing humanity.
The truth, there is no vaccine produced that can prevent or treat the coronavirus. But there are dozens of vaccines that are being developed from across the world that has made it to phase three trials.
Companies with COVID-19 Phase Three Clinical Trials for a Vaccine
Here are some companies that are in the third phase of clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Moderna Therapeutics
A Massachusetts based biotech company in partnership with the Department of Health. It had started with phase three of its clinical trials while continuously monitoring the results of phase two. Phase three involves the application of the vaccine to 30,000 Americans. Moderna is on schedule to supply 500 million doses per year beginning 2021.
Pfizer
One of the world’s largest pharmaceuticals is working with BioNTech, a German biotech company. Combines phases two and three covering a diverse population in areas hardest hit with SARS-CoV-2 transmission. There will be 30,000 people tested with the vaccine coming from 39 U.S. states, Brazil, Argentina, and Germany. The collaboration hopes to supply 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021.
University of Oxford
The U.K. University in partnership with biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. It is in phase three of clinical trials, with volunteers up to 50,000 in Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Africa. One of its volunteers had an adverse reaction on 8 September, pausing the clinical trials.
Sinovac
A Chinese biopharmaceutical company, in collaboration with Brazilian research center Butantan. Moves ahead to phase three while monitoring the results of phase two trials. There will be 9,000 healthcare professionals in Brazil that will be recruited for the clinical trial, as well as volunteers from Indonesia and Bangladesh.
The Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology
Although it lacks evidence in showing the effectivity of the vaccine, Russia cleared the widespread use of Sputnik V and claimed it as the first COVID-19 vaccine. However, WHO recognizes Sputnik V to be in the first phase of clinical trials.
Myths Circulating About COVID-19
If you come across these myths, you can downplay them because here are the facts behind those made-up stories. There are explanations of why these stories are deceiving or down-right false.
Myth: Alcohol sprayed on the skin kills viruses
The application of alcohol on the skin does not kill viruses. The skin dehydrates causing wrinkles and pores to manifest, losing the skin’s natural plumpness and hearty luster. It can harm the body when it enters the eyes or mouth.
A 70% alcohol dilution can be used to sanitize hard objects, items, and small surfaces.
Myth: Only senior citizens and young people 20 and below are at risk
People who are aged 60 and over are susceptible to COVID-19 because the immune system of the body starts to drop.
However, anybody no matter what age can be affected if they have any underlying medical condition such as:
- chronic lung disease
- moderate to severe asthma
- heart conditions
- severe obesity
- hypertension
- diabetes
- renal failure
- liver disease
It is rare that children can be affected by coronavirus, chances are 1 in 1,000.
Myth: COVID-19 is like the flu
Coronavirus and the flu have similar symptoms like aches, fever, and cough and both can lead to pneumonia.
But, scientists proclaim that COVID-19 is more serious than the seasonal flu the fatality rate in the U.S. is about 6 percent.
Myth: COVID-19 patients die
As of 14 Sep 2020, here is the COVID-19 worldwide count by Statista.
| Total Infections | Active Infections | Recoveries | Deaths |
| 29,195,976 | 7,226,655 | 21,031,029 | 928,292 |
The data shows that 3.18 percent of the total people infected died while 72.03 percent were able to recover from coronavirus
So, yes there are deaths due to COVID-19 but not all infected humans die.
Myth: Pets spread the virus
In April, a pet parent infected with coronavirus contaminated one of the two pet cats.
Although the cat was infected by coming into contact with a person with COVID-19 there is no clinical evidence that shows that animals can spread the virus to people. The global plague was due to human-to-human transmittal.
Myth: Face masks always keep COVID-19 away
Wearing of cloth or disposable mask can protect droplet s from a cough or sneeze, but not the aerosol particles. It is advisable to wear cloth masks in public places as well as maintain a 6-foot (2 meters) distance from people. You don’t know who is asymptomatic or those who don’t know they have coronavirus.
Surgical masks and N95 respirators work best, but these are solely for healthcare workers.
Myth: Hand dryers kill COVID-19
No, they do not kill COVID-19. The best protection is washing the hands with soap and water for about 20 seconds.
What to do?
There is still no vaccine to treat COVID-19 infection, it’s out there waiting for the next victim. A surefire solution to avoid getting contaminated is to stay indoors.
There are instances where you must go out to buy food, medicine, or to attend to some important matters. Practice the guidelines of WHO to protect yourself.