WHO address myths associated with alcohol and COVID-19

In response to a spike in myths surrounding alcohol and COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) have published a news release and a fact sheet. They remind people that “drinking alcohol does not protect them from COVID-19.”

The news release explains how “[f]ear and misinformation have generated a dangerous myth that consuming high-strength alcohol can kill the COVID-19 virus. It does not. Consuming any alcohol poses health risks, but consuming high strength ethyl alcohol (ethanol), particularly if it has been adulterated with methanol, can result in severe health consequences, including death.”

Rather than fighting COVID-19, the WHO explain how alcohol is associated with a range of diseases and can, therefore, “make a person more vulnerable to COVID-19.”

Although alcohol can disinfect skin, the WHO warn people that it “has no such effect within your system when ingested” and that it does not “stimulate immunity and virus resistance.” The fact sheet explains further: “Alcohol use, especially heavy use, weakens the immune system and thus reduces the ability to cope with infectious diseases.”

A recent MNT feature addresses some of the other myths that surround COVID-19.