Sin Chew Daily

The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on humanity, showing no signs of abating with daily infection numbers recording new highs in recent weeks.

In addition to movement control orders, the government seems to have no other more effective solutions to put the virus in check.

To make things worse, the CMCO now enforced in several states has been ineffective in flattening the curve!

With new infection numbers staggering and no end in sight for the outbreak, it is understandable that many people have become increasingly restless, powerless, and eager to seek efficacious alternatives to free themselves from the threat of the virus so that they can revert to the normal life they used to know.

We can easily understand such a mentality, but what we are facing now is an unprecedented public health crisis that requires all the people to have accurate and reliable information, not hearsay or unverified remedies.

There has been a multitude of preventive and therapeutic formulas all around us, including the so-called "drugs", but none has been verified by medical experts to be effective. Some of them can even be described as wholly absurd.

For example, it has been rumored on the social media that coconut water mixed with lemon juice and table salt, or rice wine mixed with garlic, or egg with carbonated drink, have been touted as "remedies" that can treat COVID-19.

Perhaps few will believe the above-mentioned remedies due to sheer absurdity, there are nevertheless some seemingly "professional" formulas and even so-called "drugs" that might win the trust of the uninitiated. Some of the shops in China, for instance, are promoting the so-called "hydrogen energy pack" that is a cure-all solution to treat all kinds of diseases and is claimed to be effective against the coronavirus. Such claim has nevertheless been rejected by the Chinese authorities.

Prior to this, Lianhua Qingwen Capsule has been said to be effective in preventing the coronavirus, but the thing is: it is a banned drug!

More recently, a detox herbal soup has also been said to be effective in curbing the virus, but as there is no scientific evidence to prove its efficacy, members of the public are advised to stay away from it.

In the face of so many remedies of all sorts and forms, it is imperative that members of the public judge scientifically and rationally, as the slightest negligence could mean grave consequences.

As a matter of fact, they only need to think logically and calmly to see the truth beyond the myths. Imagine, if such recipes are so effective, there wouldn't have been so many people around the world suffering from this disastrous pandemic.

Where battling the virus is concerned, we should only rely on information provided by the health ministry and medical professionals, not hearsay.

In the United States, a couple died after taking hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin together, which President Trump had claimed could treat the coronavirus. Such a tragic incident should not have happened in the first place.

Additionally, to stop the circulation of fake information on the prevention and treatment of the coronavirus, the government should step up public education as well as enforcement so that no one will fall victim to such scams again.

To prevent COVID-19, we must listen to the experts, and wash our hands regularly, always keep safe distances, and put on a face mask. Taking dubious "medicines" is not only ineffective but could bring disastrous consequences.

Isn't it weird listening to hearsay and rumors but not the advice from health DG Dr Noor Hisham?