#YouAsked Covid-19 Health Does wearing a mask actually help reduce the risk of Covid-19? Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidance for Wearing Masks Short answer Does wearing a mask actually help reduce the risk of Covid-19? Covid-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets travel into the air when you cough, sneeze, talk, shout or sing. These droplets can then land in the mouths or noses of people who are near you or they may breathe these droplets in. Masks are a simple b... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Health What is the Covid-19 variant found in India? Source Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism – Three for three: Understanding the 3 COVID variants circulating during SA’s third wave Short answer What is the Covid-19 variant found in India? The Delta or B.1.617.2 variant of SARS CoV-2 (previously known as the “Indian variant”)was first detected in India in December 2020 and became the most commonly reported variant in the country from mid-April 2021. The mutations in the Delta variant’s spike protein help the virus to bette... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Health Which Covid-19 vaccine is more effective against the variant found in India? Source Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism – Three for three: Understanding the 3 COVID variants circulating during SA’s third wave Short answer Which Covid-19 vaccine is more effective against the variant found in India? Although it is still too early to know, there is some evidence suggesting that the Delta variant reduces vaccine efficacy. Data from cases in England showed that the effectiveness of both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines had been lowered after one dose from 51.1% to 33.5%. But after a second shot... Back Full answer
Covid-19 Health Does the Covid-19 vaccine reduce your lifespan? Source The Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA) in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Short answer Does the Covid-19 vaccine reduce your lifespan? All available Covid-19 vaccines have been assessed for safety and have also been found not to interfere with the human Deoxyribonucleic (DNA) so it does not reduce a person’s life span. ... Back Full answer
Covid-19 Health Is it true that doctors test for Covid-19 by looking for the Covid-19 virus in your body? Source US Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Testing Overview Short answer Is it true that doctors test for Covid-19 by looking for the Covid-19 virus in your body? Yes. A Covid-19 viral test looks for the virus in your breathing passages. There are different types of viral tests. One type looks for genetic material from the virus. This is usually called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Another type looks for proteins on the virus. This is usually called an ant... Back Full answer
Covid-19 Health Does the Covid-19 vaccine shorten your lifespan? Source Encyclopaedia Britannica – The Top COVID-19 Vaccine Myths Spreading Online Short answer Does the Covid-19 vaccine shorten your lifespan? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states on its website that all deaths that are known to have occurred following a COVID-19 vaccination are investigated. No deaths have been found to have been caused by COVID-19 vaccines. “A review of available clinical information, including d... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Health Is Covid-19 spread through 5G mobile networks and radio waves? Source Africa Check Fact-Check – FACTSHEET: Five questions about 5G technology answered Short answer Is Covid-19 spread through 5G mobile networks and radio waves? 5G, or fifth generation, is the latest wireless mobile phone technology, first widely deployed in 2019. 5G is expected to increase performance and a wide range of new applications, including strengthening e-Health (telemedicine, remote surveillance, telesurgery). Claims that 5G somehow causes or ... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Health What is the rate of false-positives results when testing for Covid-19? Source Harvard Health Publishing – ”Which test is best for COVID-19?" Short answer What is the rate of false-positives results when testing for Covid-19? In a statement issued on 4 January 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted patients and health care providers of the risk of false results, particularly false-negative results –a test that says you don’t have the virus when you actually do have the virus –with the C... Back Full answer
Covid-19 Health Can hydrogen peroxide be used to treat Covid-19? Source GhanaFact Fact Check – UNPROVEN: Hydrogen Peroxide can protect you against COVID-19 Short answer Can hydrogen peroxide be used to treat Covid-19? The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health authorities have cautioned against the use of hydrogen peroxide to prevent or treat COVID-19 as there is no scientific evidence to support the claim. ... Back Full answer