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Almost three years into the pandemic, myths and misinformation stay widespread. Here we, a virologist and a public well being researcher, debunk some widespread misconceptions about COVID.
Myth 1: The virus is turning into milder
There’s a prevailing delusion within the omicron period that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is turning into “milder”.
It’s true that earlier omicron variants (BA.1 and BA.2) had been much less probably than delta to trigger extreme sickness, partly as a result of they had been extra prone to infect the higher airway than the decrease airway. This means omicron infections didn’t infect the lungs as aggressively as delta did.
But illness outcomes are critically depending on immunity and the UK is privileged on this regard. When BA.2 hit Hong Kong in spring 2022, poorer vaccination protection meant a devastating outbreak.
Even in England’s well-vaccinated inhabitants there have been virtually 29,000 COVID deaths between January and early November 2022, and tens of 1000’s of hospitalisations.
Individual danger could have fallen, however excessive omicron infections and reinfections have appreciable affect at inhabitants degree. Subvariants proceed to flee antibody immunity, and a few (like BA.5) seem to have reacquired a desire for the decrease airway. This, together with different components, elevated the chance of hospitalisation with BA.5 in comparison with BA.2.
So SARS-CoV-2 is just not inherently delicate, or essentially turning into milder. We should additionally do not forget that tens of millions of individuals can’t reply successfully to vaccines or are at heightened danger. Effective public well being ought to mix up to date vaccines towards this shifting goal with limiting infections to sluggish viral evolution.
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Myth 2: COVID solely impacts older and weak folks
One widespread cause folks don’t get vaccinated is perceiving a low private danger from an infection. Again, excessive prevalence inflates smaller particular person dangers. For youthful folks, even a light an infection can result in lengthy COVID, which impacts as much as one in 5 adults aged 18-64.
This delusion is especially problematic in relation to youngsters. Kids are far much less vulnerable to extreme COVID than adults, however amongst paediatric infectious ailments, COVID is a big explanation for loss of life and sickness. Children may develop lengthy COVID. Despite lacklustre UK authorities messaging, many healthcare businesses around the globe suggest vaccinating youngsters towards SARS-CoV-2.
Myth 3: Washing fingers is sufficient to forestall COVID unfold
SARS-CoV-2 spreads by way of tiny particles of moisture suspended within the air known as aerosols. Droplets (for instance from sneezing) and fomites (droplet-contaminated objects) play a task, however should not the foremost route of unfold.
As such, air flow and masks are key to decreasing COVID transmission. But hand washing and sanitising have been extra standard anti-COVID measures.
Some organisations had been sluggish to simply accept airborne transmission. So messaging initially of the pandemic, together with from the UK authorities, over-emphasised the significance of hand washing.
Hand washing doesn’t provide important safety towards airborne viruses.
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A psychological phenomenon often known as a “primacy impact” describes when persons are extra influenced by the primary issues they expertise, and retain these ideas. It seems the early concentrate on droplets and fomites caught in folks’s minds, even as soon as we knew SARS-CoV-2 was airborne.
Hand hygiene is necessary for decreasing transmission of different ailments, however is just not adequate for airborne viruses.
Myth 4: Masks don’t work
Face masks work by defending the wearer and others. But as with all mitigation methods, that is by no means 100%. Masks work greatest alongside different measures and have to be worn correctly.
Masks vary from material face coverings, to surgical masks, as much as FFP2/N95 and FFP3/N99 respirators. Any barrier helps, however material masks primarily restrict droplets and do little to guard the wearer from aerosols. Surgical masks with non-woven layers are considerably higher, but nonetheless provide restricted safety in contrast with respirators.
Worn correctly, FFP2 and FFP3 respirators filter 95% and 99% of particles respectively, right down to the dimensions of aerosols. In this fashion they shield the wearer and others.
Myth 5: Vaccines don’t cut back transmission
Delta brought on noticeable breakthrough infections in individuals who had been vaccinated and reinfection is now widespread with omicron. This is because of the evolution of antibody-evasive mutations inside SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein, together with pure antibody waning.
Research persistently helps that vaccination reduces omicron transmission in addition to severity. Studies present that, whereas not eliminating the chance totally, vaccinated folks with breakthrough infections are much less prone to unfold the virus to others.
COVID vaccines do cut back transmission.
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Myth 6: Vaccines had been rushed by
COVID vaccine trials weren’t rushed. Remarkable cooperation, ample funding and modern design accelerated issues. But what’s often the best bottleneck – affected person recruitment – was bypassed by the sheer abundance of individuals uncovered to SARS-CoV-2.
Vaccines saved an estimated 20 million lives globally in 2021. But as efficient as they’re, vaccines, like all medicines, should not good.
Up to October 2022, the UK’s Office for National Statistics recorded 56 deaths in England and Wales involving COVID vaccines. All these deaths are tragedies. Patient reporting programs just like the Medicines and Healthcare merchandise Regulatory Agency yellow card scheme present larger numbers earlier than investigations.
Read extra:
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When tens of millions of persons are vaccinated, critical and probably deadly reactions do happen on uncommon events. This is partly as a consequence of our genetic variety, however different components additionally contribute.
Rare reactions embrace anaphylaxis (allergic responses to vaccine elements), blood clots and myocarditis and pericarditis (irritation of the guts muscle or surrounding sac).
It turned clear after tens of millions of inoculations that the AstraZeneca vaccine might trigger uncommon blood clots within the veins. Untreated, this may be deadly. These happen extra in youthful adults, however the UK now makes use of primarily mRNA vaccines.
Myocarditis after mRNA vaccination has brought on concern, primarily in adolescent males, however is usually uncommon, delicate, and will get higher by itself. By distinction, myocarditis from a COVID an infection is extra widespread, long-lasting, and much more prone to require intensive care. In different phrases, the advantages of COVID vaccination clearly outweigh the dangers.
Simon Nicholas Williams has acquired funding from Senedd Cymru, Public Health Wales and the Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre for analysis on COVID-19. However, this text displays the views of the creator solely and no funding our bodies had been concerned within the writing or content material of this text.
Stephen Griffin is affiliated with Independent SAGE.
