By Jessica Berget, Editor-in-Chief
We talked on and on about all the misinformation regarding COVID-19 in our feature this week, you would think that there’s no way there could possibly be any more. But you’d be wrong. It seems like there’s almost as many coronavirus myths and false claims as there is cases of the virus.
One important myth I’ve heard tossed around is the fact that only old people or immunocompromised folks can contract the illness—and that us young people are safe from it. While most of its victims are seniors, there are still many young adults who are being infected with it. According to the New York Times, new data shows that in the US, almost 40 percent of patients in the hospital were in the age range of 20 to 54. While nearly all the 11 deaths from the virus BC have been from care homes, young people still aren’t invincible and will have a chance at contracting the virus or passing it on to the elderly. Though it may seem like it doesn’t post a direct threat to young adults, past cases have shown that young people and children often suffer from it.
Another myth that’s been recently debunked is that dogs can’t contract the virus—which is sadly untrue. According to South China Morning Post, a Pomeranian was infected by their owner who was infected with COVID-19, becoming the first ever recorded case of human to animal transmission of the virus. This dog cannot get sick from it since it only contracted a surface level infection. Additionally, experts looking at previous research on SARS and canines say that dogs cannot transfer the virus to other humans. As funny as those memes are about sending your dog to the store because he can’t catch corona, they’re unfortunately noticeably less funny when you read this fact. Not even the dogs are safe.
Take the things you hear and read with a grain of salt; misinformation is rampant and tempting, but the facts are essential in navigating this pandemic.
