**Abstract**

Myths are widely dispersed but false ideologies or misconceptions. With the thousands of deaths recorded daily and the negative toll of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on public health, national economy, and human interaction, it remains surprising how people are still being swayed by conspiracy theories. Due to the novelty of the disease, the quest for an answer, what works, and what does not work gave room for the propagation of misinformation, especially on social media. Identifying and debunking myths is very important in managing disease outbreak, since myths can negatively influence the response of people to preventive and containment strategies. Major proponents of COVID-19 myths have promoted their falsehood on the guise that it is a biological weapon engineered to control the world population. Others have also falsely claimed the use of antibiotics or other antiviral drugs in the treatment of COVID-19 and that COVID-19 is no worse than the common flu or it is just the disease of the elderly. This has promoted refusal to take up the COVID-19 vaccine and increased non-adherence to the preventive guidelines. Myths have been a major stumbling block to curtailing the menace of COVID-19. All hands must be on deck to fight this.

**Keywords:** Myths, COVID-19, preventive, debunk, curtail, media

#### **1. Introduction**

Myths are widely proposed false ideas or misconceptions. Since the start of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), several misconceptions have arisen. Belief in the misconceptions could debar certain individuals from adhering to the preventive guidelines leading to the rapid spread of the disease, low vaccine uptake and ultimately, unnecessary deaths. A myth is a story that was told in an ancient culture to explain a practice, belief, or natural occurrence. It is a story that is believed by many people but is not true. Myth is currently commonplace even among the populace, it is confusing and detrimental to the immense efforts put towards fighting the ravaging pandemic [1]. To say that certain stories are in circulation from ancient cultural beliefs from some 'god' or deity imposed/inflicted punishment is contrasting to the facts and reality of the COVID-19 [2].

Ab initio of the COVID-19, which is gradually becoming an endemic, so many myths about the unprecedented outbreak have risen, though untrue, it has facilitated the spread of the virus to about 219 countries, continents, territories and communities with varying belief systems, ways of life and communal practice. However, as unrealistic as this is, it is widely believed by many. Unverified facts which have turned into truth for many have become insurmountable barriers

against the fight raised against COVID-19. Several myths ranging from the cause of the disease to those susceptible to it, to the assumed cure and even overrated known means of management exist in the premise of the COVID-19. These myths have blurred the line between management and cure, facilitated the rapid spread and even claimed the lives of many with millions of deaths recorded daily on a global scale. The pandemic has a negative toll on public health, national economy, and human interaction, it remains surprising how people are still being swayed by myths and conspiracy theories.

Knowing some of these myths would reveal the ignorance of many and shed more light on the real path to combating the disease [2]. First, if we agree that myths are propagated and perpetuated by ignorance, we must seek knowledge to terminate them, which is where the role of professionals is key in this fight. What we have known since the upsurge of the disease will help rather than what is assumed. Those known facts will then point out false stories or beliefs that must be eradicated.

Because it is safer to move from known to unknown in solving a problem, and there have been stories with unverified sources which are unknown, it is better to consider those facts that have been verified by professionals over the past few months to distinguish between mere myths and facts. In this chapter, we would highlight several myths that have been propagated around it stating how those myths have been a barrier in the fight against the pandemic and what are the reasons or factors responsible for the propagation of these myths, the aftermath and implication of the COVID-19 myths, how to curtail and debunk the myths with evidence or facts and general recommendations and conclusions.

#### **2. Common myths about COVID-19**

Myths and misinformation are non-validated concepts or ideologies that are believed by a group of people. Identifying and debunking myths is very important in managing a disease outbreak since myths can negatively influence the response of people to preventive and containment strategies [3]. Within few months of the viral outbreak, it has spread across all continents and has claimed millions of lives. As of June 02, 2021, 22:35 GMT, the death toll due to COVID-19 has reached 3,683,305 deaths from 171,331,780 confirmed cases in 219 countries across the globe [4]. This has brought untold hardship, pressure, and pain to countless individuals across the globe.

The COVID-19 is a novel disease that caught everyone unawares. Due to the novelty of the virus, everyone was looking for an answer as to the origin of the virus, how it spreads, preventive mechanisms, and its mechanism of action, treatment or management of infection and symptoms and how best to curtail its menace. The quest for an answer, what works, and what does not work gave room for the propagation of information and misinformation about the pandemic, most especially on the social media space. Several efforts have been put in place by public health experts, researchers, governments, social response workers, and virtually everyone to understand and curtail the menace of the COVID-19 pandemic. The development, approval and administration of COVID-19 vaccines have brought a sort of relief and hope for almost everyone. Despite this, there are still thousands of confirmed cases and reported deaths on daily basis. Due to the high human-human transmission rate of the virus, the WHO instituted guidelines to help curtail the spread of the virus such as the washing of hands with soap frequently, the use of alcohol-based hand rubs and many more (**Figure 1**).

Since the outset of the pandemic, myths and misinformation about the pandemic have served as a stumbling block or hindrance to the populace acceptance of

**Figure 1.** *Instituted preventive guidelines against COVID-19.*

instituted guidelines that can reduce the risk of infection. A study [3] on healthcare workers in South Africa identified that myths and misinformation influenced the public's response negatively to the COVID-19 screening campaign. It is quite worrisome that despite the safety rate and promising action of the COVID-19 vaccines, many individuals have decided neither to adhere to the preventive guidelines nor to accept the vaccines. Such individuals do not only put themselves at risk but other thousands of innocent people in their community. Here we highlight common myths and misinformation about the pandemic and their implication in the fight against the pandemic (**Figure 2**).
