> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.europeans.today/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Six common COVID myths busted by a virologist and a public health expert - URL: https://www.europeans.today/2023/01/08/six-common-covid-myths-busted-by-a-virologist-and-a-public-health-expert/ - Published: 2023-01-08T01:07:00.000Z - Updated: 2023-01-08T07:49:38.000Z - Description: Almost three years into the pandemic, myths and misinformation about COVID-19 remain widespread. Let’s debunk some common misconceptions about COVID. - Author: Contribee - Tags: COVID-19, COVID-19 Myths, COVID-19 & Airborne Transmission, COVID-19 & Children, COVID-19 & Handwashing, COVID-19 Vaccines, Face Masks, Fake News, Long COVID, Long COVID Kids, Misinformation, mRNA Vaccines ### Almost three years into the pandemic, myths and misinformation about COVID-19 remain widespread. Let’s debunk some common misconceptions about COVID. Simon Nicholas Williams, a public health researcher, and Stephen Griffin, a virologist, debunk some common misconceptions about COVID-19. ### **Myth 1: The virus is becoming milder** There’s a [prevailing myth](https://psyarxiv.com/vam4t?ref=europeans.today) in the omicron era that [SARS-CoV-2](https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/01/14/1072504127/fact-check-the-theory-that-sars-cov-2-is-becoming-milder?ref=europeans.today) (the virus that causes COVID-19) is becoming “[milder](https://www.bmj.com/content/379/bmj.o2516?ref=europeans.today)”. It’s true that earlier omicron variants (BA.1 and BA.2) were [less likely](https://www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj.n3151?ref=europeans.today) than delta to cause severe illness, partly because they were more likely [to infect the upper airway](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04479-6?ref=europeans.today) than the lower airway. This means omicron infections didn’t infect the lungs as aggressively as delta did. But disease outcomes are critically dependent [on immunity](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-31395-0?ref=europeans.today) and the UK is [privileged in this regard](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-022-01073-z?ref=europeans.today). When BA.2 hit Hong Kong in spring 2022, [poorer vaccination coverage](https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o980?ref=europeans.today) meant a [devastating outbreak](https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o707?ref=europeans.today). Even in England’s well-vaccinated population there have been [almost 29,000 COVID deaths](https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/deaths?areaType=nation%26areaName=England&ref=europeans.today#card-weekly%5Fdeaths%5Fwith%5Fcovid-19%5Fon%5Fthe%5Fdeath%5Fcertificate%5Fby%5Fdate%5Fregistered) between January and early November 2022, and [tens of thousands](https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/healthcare?areaType=nation%26areaName=England&ref=europeans.today#card-patients%5Fadmitted%5Fto%5Fhospital) of hospitalisations. Individual risk may have fallen, but high omicron infections and reinfections have a considerable impact at population level. Subvariants continue to [escape antibody immunity](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36198317/?ref=europeans.today), and some (like BA.5) appear to have reacquired a [preference for the lower airway](https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhaseltine/2022/08/29/increased-disease-potential-of-covid-variant-ba5-currently-circulating-in-the-united-states/?sh=1da18eb64b9d&ref=europeans.today). This, along with other factors, [increased the risk of hospitalisation](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099%2822%2900595-3/fulltext?ref=europeans.today) with BA.5 compared to BA.2. So SARS-CoV-2 is not inherently mild, or necessarily becoming milder. We must also remember that [millions of people](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/covid-plan-vulnerable-charities-johnson-b2016536.html?ref=europeans.today) can’t respond effectively to vaccines or are at heightened risk. Effective public health should combine updated vaccines against this moving target [with limiting infections](https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o1?ref=europeans.today) to [slow viral evolution](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00155-x?ref=europeans.today). ### **Myth 2: COVID only affects older and vulnerable people** One common reason people don’t get vaccinated is [perceiving a low personal risk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandwellbeing/bulletins/coronavirusandvaccinehesitancygreatbritain/13januaryto7february2021?ref=europeans.today) from infection. Again, high prevalence inflates smaller individual risks. For younger people, even a mild infection can lead to long COVID, which affects [up to one in five adults](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351?ref=europeans.today) aged 18-64. This myth is particularly problematic in relation to children. Kids are far less prone to severe COVID than adults, but among paediatric infectious diseases, COVID is a significant cause of [death](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade1675?ref=europeans.today) and [illness](https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/07/06/we-should-shift-our-focus-from-covid-19-mortality-to-morbidity-particularly-in-children/?ref=europeans.today). Children can also [develop long COVID](https://www.longcovidkids.org/?ref=europeans.today). Despite [lacklustre UK government messaging](https://theconversation.com/uptake-of-childrens-covid-vaccines-is-low-in-the-uk-and-their-slow-confused-approval-is-to-blame-178382?ref=europeans.today), many healthcare agencies around the world [recommend](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/planning/children.html?ref=europeans.today) vaccinating kids against SARS-CoV-2. ### **Myth 3: Washing hands is enough to prevent COVID spread** SARS-CoV-2 spreads via [tiny particles](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8242678/?ref=europeans.today) of moisture suspended in the air called aerosols. Droplets (for example from sneezing) and fomites (droplet-contaminated objects) play a role, but are not the major route of spread. As such, [ventilation](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment%5Fdata/file/928720/S0789%5FEMG%5FRole%5Fof%5FVentilation%5Fin%5FControlling%5FSARS-CoV-2%5FTransmission.pdf?ref=europeans.today) and [masks](https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2014564118?ref=europeans.today) are key to reducing COVID transmission. But hand washing and sanitising have been more popular [anti-COVID measures](https://yougov.co.uk/topics/health/articles-reports/2021/08/13/washing-hands-tops-list-brits-anti-covid-measures-?ref=europeans.today). Some organisations were [slow to accept airborne transmission](https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/modes-of-transmission-of-virus-causing-covid-19-implications-for-ipc-precaution-recommendations?ref=europeans.today). So messaging at the start of the pandemic, including from the UK government, over-emphasised the importance [of hand washing](https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/03/17/uks-coronavirus-policy-places-too-much-responsibility-in-the-hands-of-the-public/?ref=europeans.today). A psychological phenomenon known as a “[primacy effect](https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3%5F1141?ref=europeans.today)” describes when people are more influenced by the first things they experience, and retain these concepts. It appears the early focus on [droplets and fomites](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00251-4?ref=europeans.today) stuck in people’s minds, even once we knew [SARS-CoV-2 was airborne](https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736%2821%2900869-2/fulltext?ref=europeans.today). Hand hygiene is important for reducing transmission of other diseases, but is [not sufficient for airborne viruses](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/05/did-early-focus-on-hand-washing-and-not-masks-aid-spread-of-covid-19-coronavirus?ref=europeans.today). ### **Myth 4: Masks don’t work** Face masks [work](https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2119266119?ref=europeans.today) by protecting the wearer and others. But as with all mitigation strategies, this is never 100%. Masks work best alongside other measures and must be worn properly. Masks range from cloth face coverings, to surgical masks, up to FFP2/N95 and FFP3/N99 respirators. Any barrier helps, but cloth masks mainly limit droplets and [do little](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/whats-most-effective-face-mask-preventing-covid-19-transmission?ref=europeans.today) to protect the wearer from aerosols. [Surgical masks](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/n95-respirators-surgical-masks-face-masks-and-barrier-face-coverings?ref=europeans.today) with non-woven layers are significantly better, yet still offer limited protection compared with [respirators](https://www.pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/pnas.2110117118?ref=europeans.today). Worn properly, FFP2 and FFP3 respirators filter [95% and 99%](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/whats-most-effective-face-mask-preventing-covid-19-transmission?ref=europeans.today) of particles respectively, down to the size of aerosols. In this way they [protect the wearer and others](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/27/best-masks-covid-tests-cloth-surgical-respirators?ref=europeans.today). ### **Myth 5: Vaccines don’t reduce transmission** Delta caused noticeable [breakthrough infections](https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2822%2901190-4&ref=europeans.today) in people who had been vaccinated and reinfection is now [common with omicron](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19latestinsights/infections?ref=europeans.today#reinfections). This is due to the evolution of antibody-evasive mutations within SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein, along with natural antibody waning. Research [consistently supports](https://www.newscientist.com/article/2336617-vaccinations-and-past-infections-reduce-risk-of-spreading-covid-19/?ref=europeans.today) that vaccination reduces omicron transmission as well as severity. Studies show that, while not eliminating the risk entirely, vaccinated people with breakthrough infections are [less likely](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/new-research-proves-covid-19-vaccines-can-slow-spread-disease-even-omicron?ref=europeans.today) to spread the virus to others. ### **Myth 6: Vaccines were rushed through** COVID vaccine trials were not rushed. Remarkable cooperation, ample funding and innovative design accelerated things. But what’s usually the greatest bottleneck – patient recruitment – was bypassed by the sheer abundance of people exposed to SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines saved an estimated [20 million lives globally](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099%2822%2900320-6/fulltext?ref=europeans.today) in 2021. But as effective as they are, vaccines, like all medicines, are not perfect. Up to October 2022, the UK’s *Office for National Statistics* [recorded 56 deaths](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/monthlymortalityanalysisenglandandwales?ref=europeans.today) in England and Wales involving COVID vaccines. All these deaths are tragedies. Patient reporting systems like the *Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency* [yellow card scheme](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting?ref=europeans.today) show higher numbers before investigations. When [millions of people](https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/vaccinations?areaType=nation&areaName=England&ref=europeans.today) are vaccinated, serious and potentially fatal reactions do occur on rare occasions. This is partly due to our genetic diversity, but other factors also contribute. Rare reactions include [anaphylaxis](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/summary-of-product-characteristics-for-covid-19-vaccine-pfizerbiontech?ref=europeans.today) (allergic responses to vaccine ingredients), blood clots and myocarditis and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle or surrounding sac). It became clear after millions of inoculations that the *AstraZeneca* vaccine could [cause rare blood clots](https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/astrazeneca-covid-vaccine?ref=europeans.today#:%7E:text=Blood%20clots%20after%20the%20vaccine,occurred%20after%20the%20second%20dose.) in the veins. Untreated, this can be fatal. These occur more in younger adults, but the UK now uses mainly mRNA vaccines. Myocarditis after mRNA vaccination has caused concern, mainly in [adolescent males](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35993236/?ref=europeans.today), but is generally rare, mild, and gets better on its own. By contrast, [myocarditis from a COVID infection](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35389977/?ref=europeans.today) is more common, long-lasting, and far more likely to require intensive care. In other words, the benefits of COVID vaccination clearly outweigh the risks. ![PMP Magazine](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/40/1540bec0-7154-4feb-b8e1-97f579155b08/content/images/2021/09/end-flat-1.png "PMP Magazine") --- | [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/40/1540bec0-7154-4feb-b8e1-97f579155b08/content/images/2022/08/feeback1-small-flatten-1.png)](https://forms.gle/tRe7igVtMPaiAPtJ8?ref=europeans.today "Leave some feedback") | [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/40/1540bec0-7154-4feb-b8e1-97f579155b08/content/images/2022/08/share-1-small-flatten.png)](#share "Share this article") | [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/40/1540bec0-7154-4feb-b8e1-97f579155b08/content/images/2022/08/comment4-small-flatten-2.png)](#comments "Leave a comment") | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- ### **— AUTHORS —** | ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/40/1540bec0-7154-4feb-b8e1-97f579155b08/content/images/2023/01/dwee43.jpg) | ▫ **Simon Nicholas Williams*, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Swansea University.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/40/1540bec0-7154-4feb-b8e1-97f579155b08/content/images/2023/01/imw-8225-qzi623.jpg) ▫ **Stephen Griffin*, Virologist, Associate Professor of Viral Oncology, University of Leeds.* | Sources ▪ Text: This piece was originally published in The Conversation and re-published in PMP Magazine on 8 January 2023\. | The authors write in a personal capacity.▪ Cover: Unsplash/Alessio Rinella. 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