To control the COVID-19 outbreak, China introduced tough traffic rules and restrictions. The countrywide ban on traffic greatly lowered pollution from lack of cars and other vehicles, whereas emissions from heating in homes and industry remained fairly steady. In a recent study, the improvement in air quality was estimated to have saved many thousands of lives due to a reduction in heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases. In fact, the decrease in the number of cardiovascular deaths could have outnumbered the deaths due to COVID-19 in China.
Latino Diabetes
COVID-19: Busting Myths
Facing diabetes and COVID-19 together
COVID-19: Separating Facts from Fiction
Busting myths about COVID-19
There is a lot of information on the internet, but not all of it is reliable. Be careful with what you read. Here we correct some common myths.
- COVID-10 can make anyone sick, regardless of your race or ethnicity. Fear and anxiety about COVID-19 can cause people to avoid or reject others even though they are not at more risk for spreading the virus.
- Currently there is no evidence that food can transmit COVID-19. In general, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen.
- There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the virus.
- Taking a hot bath does not prevent infection with COVID-19.
- Hand dryers are not good at killing COVID-19. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, frequently wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to your eyes and mouth, as well as your clothing.
- Vaccines against pneumonia (such as pneumococcal vaccine and Hib vaccine) do not provide protection against COVID-19.
- There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new virus.
COVID-19 NEWS
Disclaimer and sources
Sansum Diabetes Research Institute specializes in diabetes. While we are not experts in infectious disease, we are following and conveying on this site the research evidence and advice from the following authoritative organizations:
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/share-facts.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fshare-facts.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html#who-is-higher-risk
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
American Diabetes Association
Table:
- Down S on behalf of the Primary Care Diabetes Society (2020) COVID-19 and diabetes. Diabetes & Primary Care [early view publication].
Case Counts: