BY MARY KUYE
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria Office has dissociated its organisation from the false information on COVID-19 credited to it that’s making the round through the social media and WhatsApp.
The false message read: “Coronavirus is large in size where the cell diameter is 400 – 500 micro and for this reason, any mask prevents its entry so there is no need for pharmacists to trade in masks.
“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. Coronavirus, 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.
READ ALSO: UNICEF Says Kano Has Higher Children With Stunted Growth
“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.
READ ALSO: UNICEF Says Over 47 Nigerian Children Die Daily Of AIDS-Related Causes
”Gargle with warm and saltwater kills the tonsils’ germs and prevents them from leaking into the lungs.
”Adherence to these instructions fulfils the purpose of preventing viruses.” The statement said UNICEF, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), was supporting the Nigerian government’s response to the outbreak.”
However, UNICEF has debunked the above statement credited to it, adding that the claims did not originate from it.
UNICEF urged the general public to verify genuine information on its website, www.unicef.org, including information on how people could protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus.
It added: “UNICEF is leading on preventative actions in communities with risk communication, providing hygiene and medical kits to schools and health clinics and monitoring the impact of the outbreak to support continuity of care, education and social services.”