The coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, originated in Wuhan, China, and has spread to at least 26 other countries. Syra Madad, the senior director of the NYC Health + Hospitals System-wide Special Pathogens Program, and Stephen Morse, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, debunked 13 of the most common myths about the coronavirus. They explained how packages from China won't make you sick and that getting COVID-19 is not a death sentence. They also debunked the idea that it affects only older people — anyone can get the coronavirus.

Update: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that if you must go out, wear a cloth or fabric face mask. The change in recommendation comes as emerging evidence suggests people can transmit the coronavirus to others before they even know they’ve been infected.

The CDC also recommends that those suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 should restrict contact with pets or other animals. The change in recommendation comes as a small number of pets outside of the US have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after close contact with people with COVID-19. But there is no current evidence that pets can spread COVID-19 to people or other animals.

MORE MYTHS DEBUNKED:
Pediatricians Debunk 16 Baby Myths
https://youtu.be/jzFY1KDoaeU
Sleep Experts Debunk 15 Sleep Myths
https://youtu.be/owMlmhvik_0
OB-GYNs Debunk 25 Pregnancy Myths
https://youtu.be/Vm_zY2IC78c

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Epidemiologists Debunk 13 Coronavirus Myths