It’s crazy to think that for some people, coronavirus doesn’t really exist. Thinking of the viral pandemic causing one of the biggest turmoils in recent history as a joke has to do with many various reasons. One of the most dangerous ones, is the overflow of incorrect information about coronavirus still surfing around various channels, from social media to television.

Fake COVID-19 news creates a fictional bubble where people see themselves as being a part of conspiracy, a global hoax that is playing tricks on them. Worst, the collective distrust in obvious tragedy escalates the spread of misinformation further and people get tied to the never-ending flow of COVID-myths.

But separating truth from fiction in the times of pandemic can literally save lives. Thus, Bored Panda reached out to the Babylon Health doctor Claudia Pastides, who agreed to share some of the most common COVID-19 myths that have been flourishing online.

First, some people still believe that hand sanitizers don’t actually kill the virus. Claudia debunked the myth and explained: “Even though this is true for a few strains of viruses, like the norovirus that causes stomach bugs, it’s not the case with coronaviruses.”

She added that applying a hand sanitizer that contains at least sixty percent alcohol will surely kill the coronavirus.

The second common myth circulating online is that COVID-19 is a man-made virus. The truth is that the “virus that causes COVID-19 is a zoonotic virus. This means that it originated from an animal.”

Scientists believe that it probably jumped the species barrier and ended up in humans. But it was definitely not made in a laboratory, contrary to some beliefs.

Third, the claim that applying heat to your skin or taking a hot bath will kill the virus is false. “Hot baths and hot drinks won’t be able to reach or kill the virus because it lies within cells inside your body,” Claudia explained.

While the most effective way to curb the virus if it has come in contact with your skin is washing with soap or using hand sanitizer, once it is inside your body, there’s not much you can do about it. “It is up to your immune system to kill the virus off.”