The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria Office has urged the general public to only trust information on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from verified sources. The organization released a statement on Wednesday, February 4th, 2020 that stated that the advice became necessary, following some fake news that were shared on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

The UNICEF said it was aware of messages in circulation that were being falsely attributed to it. It said that one could find all genuine information on its website, www.unicef.org, including clear details of how people could protect themselves and their families from the deadly virus.

One of the health misinformation falsely attributed to UNICEF, and which has gone viral on WhatsApp in the last few days reads as follows:

Corona virus 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. 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.l

And stay away from ice cream and eating cold is important. Gargle with warm and salt water kills the tonsils’ germs and prevents them from leaking into the lungs. Adherence to these instructions fulfills the purpose of preventing viruses.

The statement said the organisation, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) was supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts to promptly response to the coronavirus outbreak.

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,

the organisation said in the statement.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.