Viral UNICEF Coronavirus WhatsApp Forward is Fake, Here’s the Truth

As the dreaded Coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) panic regarding the spread of the disease has increased. Despite all the factual information that is being spread amongst the public by the Government through caller tunes and helplines, a fake UNICEF Coronavirus WhatsApp forward is being circulated on social media.

The message says: “Unicef

The coronavirus is large in size where the cell diameter is 400-500 micro and for this reason any mask prevents its entry

The virus does not settle in the air but is grounded, so it is not transmitted by air

Coronavirus when it falls on a metal surface, it will live 12 hours, so washing hands with soap and water well enough

Corona virus when it falls on the fabric remains 9 hours, so washing clothes or being exposed to the sun for two hours meets the purpose of killing it

The virus lives on the hands for 10 minutes, so putting an alcohol sterilizer in the pocket meets the purpose of prevention

If the virus is exposed to a temperature of 26-27 C. it will be killed, as it does not live in hot regions. Also drinking hot water and sun exposure will do the trick

And stay away from ice cream and eating cold is important

Gargle with warm and salt water kills the tonsils’ germs and prevents the from leaking into the lungs

Adherence to these instructions fulfills the purpose of preventing Coronavirus

UNICEF”

PIB Fact Check has said this Coronavirus advisory is fake. “A Fake Coronavirus advisory by UNICEF is circulating on WhatsApp. PIBFactCheck: UNICEF does not issue Coronavirus advisories on chat apps,” says a tweet from PIB Fact Check.

While some of the above-mentioned pointers may make sense, the grammatical errors and inconsistency in the way UNICEF is mentioned do indicate that the forward is indeed fake.

Where to get Coronavirus Update in India

For verified and factual information on Coronavirus in India, viewers are requested to follow the below-mentioned handles on Twitter:

@MoHFW_INDIA

@drharshvardhan

@WHOSEARO

@DrHVoffice

@PIB_India

@PIBHindi

Concerned citizens can also contact the helpline number +91-11-23978046 and email ncov2019@gmail.com for any health-related queries on Coronavirus in India.