COVID-19 Information 

Myths and Facts about COVID-19

January 2021

Because there’s a lot of COVID misinformation being spewed out there, staff at the Mayo Clinic compiled, “Top myths about COVID-19 – and the facts,” to set the record straight. Here’s a sampling of what’s true and what’s fiction.

Myth: Spikes in COVID-19 cases are because of increased testing.
Fact: The rise in infections is not related to increased testing. Increased percentage of positive tests means that the virus is spreading quickly in communities.

Myth: Only the elderly or those with underlying health conditions will get very ill and require hospitalization.
Fact: People of all ages, including children, can contract COVID-19 and could be hospitalized due to the severity of their illness.

Myth: COVID-19 is no worse than the seasonal flu.
Fact: Both the flu and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory diseases caused by viruses that affect people differently.
 - Flu symptoms usually appear about one to four days after exposure. COVID-19 symptoms generally appear two to 14 days after exposure and may include loss of taste or smell.
 - COVID spreads more quickly, appears to be more contagious, and can cause different and more severe complications than the flu, like lung injury, blood clots and multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a new condition recently identified in children and adults.
 - The flu can be treated with antiviral drugs.

Myth: Fabric masks to not protect yourself or others from COVID-19.
Fact: Wearing a cloth mask decreases the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the transmission of respiratory droplets.
 - Research shows that a significant number of people who have COVID-19 do not have any symptoms and are considered asymptomatic.
 - These people may not know they are transmitting the virus to others when they talk, sneeze or cough, or raise their voice, such as with singing or shouting.
 - Protect yourself. Protect others.

Bottom line FACT: Visit credible information sources - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Mayo Clinic - for the most accurate COVID-19 information.

Information source: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, www.post-gazette.com.