Coronavirus: get the truth behind the rumours

Fact:
Viruses have a limited lifespan. Even if a parcel was handled by someone with coronavirus, it's very unlikely that a virus could survive for days or weeks, while the package is in transit from China.

Fact:
It’s possible for anyone to contract the coronavirus — even young, healthy people. Individuals over 60 and those with conditions that affect their immune system are more likely to be susceptible to the life-threatening effects of the virus though.

Fact:
Flu shots can't protect you from coronavirus. Vaccines are designed to protect us against specific viruses. In the case of the flu shot, it protects against strains of the influenza virus. Since flu season runs from late fall to early spring in Canada, even though it has no impact on coronavirus, we strongly recommend you still get your yearly flu shot to protect yourself.

Fact:
We want to be very clear here: The coronavirus is not a guaranteed death sentence to those who’ve been infected. Current measurements show that only 2% of coronavirus cases are fatal, which is much lower than SARS (10%). As with many illnesses, the elderly, small children and those with a compromised immune system are at a much higher risk of death than healthy adults.

Fact:
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses, some of which do cause the common cold. However, the coronavirus family includes other viruses that cause some very deadly illnesses, such as SARS and MERS. Evidence has shown that this particular coronavirus first passed through animals before infecting humans.

Fact:
Canada's risk is quite low compared to some other areas in the world. To help keep it that way, Canadians should be careful in planning their travel destinations. If you're going to travel, take all the precautions you can to prevent becoming infected and potentially spreading coronavirus.

Fact:
Face masks can't completely protect you from catching COVID-19, and they may cause you to touch your face more often, which carries its own risks. Some public health authorities are recommending that people wear masks however, since they stop you from unknowingly passing infections to others.

Fact:
Just like influenza, some of those who are infected show minimal symptoms or none at all. It can take between 1 and 14 days for an infected patient to begin showing symptoms, which means they can spread the virus without realizing it. Unless you're a trained medical doctor, you shouldn't try to diagnose yourself.