Consumption of alcohol will not kill
\nthe Corona Virus in the inhaled air, it will not disinfectant mouth and throat,
\nand it will not give any kind of protection against COVID-19.<\/span><\/div>\n\nMyth:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Alcohol stimulates immunity and resistance to the virus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\nFact<\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Alcohol weakens our immune system and it will not stimulate immunity and
\nvirus resistance.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n– Alcohol: what to do, what not to do, during the COVID-19 pandemic<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n\n- We should avoid the
\n consumption of alcohol so that we do not undermine our own immune system
\n ad health and do not risk the health of others.<\/span><\/li>\n- We should stay sober so that
\n we can remain vigilant, act quickly, and make decisions with a clear head,
\n for family and community.<\/span><\/li>\n- We should avoid alcohol as a
\n social cue for smoking and vise versa. Smoking is associated with a more
\n complicated and dangerous progression of COVID-19.<\/span><\/li>\n- Children and
\n young people should not have access to alcohol.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Also, they should
\n aware of problems associated with drinking and COVID-19, such as violation
\n of quarantine and physical distancing, which can make the pandemic worse.<\/span><\/li>\n- Parents should monitor the
\n screen time of their children (including TV), as such media are flooded
\n with\u00a0<\/span>alcohol
\n advertising and promotion<\/span><\/b>, they also spread harmful misinformation that
\n may stimulate early initiation and increased consumption of alcohol.<\/span><\/li>\n- We should never mix alcohol
\n with medications, even herbal or over-the-counter remedies, as this could
\n make them less effective, or it might increase their potency to a level
\n where they become toxic and dangerous.<\/span><\/li>\n- People who take any
\n medication acting on the central nervous system (e.g. pain killers,
\n sleeping tablets, anti-depressants, etc.) should not consume alcohol.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n– Alcohol and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n\n
WHO<\/span><\/b>\u00a0recommends a physical distancing of at least one meter from
\nsick people as a protective measure to slow down the speed of the virus. Bars,
\ncasinos, night clubs, restaurants, and other places where people gather to
\nconsume alcohol (including the home) increase the risk of the spread of the virus.<\/span><\/div>\n– Alcohol and home isolation or quarantine<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n\n
During this pandemic, countries have progressively introduced
\ncommunity-wide lockdowns and periods of quarantine for those who are suspected
\nof having contracted the virus.<\/span><\/div>\n\n
It is important that alcohol poses risks to our health and safety
\nand we should, therefore, avoid during periods of quarantine or home isolation.<\/span><\/div>\n\n- Alcohol should not be consumed during the lockdown. Work from home will not possible under the influence of alcohol.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Alcohol should not be a necessary part of our diet and should be a priority on our shopping list.
\n We should avoid stockpiling alcohol at home, as this will potentially increase our alcohol consumption and the consumption of others in our household.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- \u00a0We should invest our
\n money and other resources in buying healthy and nutrient foods.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- Alcohol does not help to
\n cope with stress, as it is known to increase the symptoms of panic and
\n anxiety disorders, depressions, and other mental disorders, and the risk of
\n family and domestic violence.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- Instead of consuming alcohol, try an indoor workout. Physical activity strengthens the immune
\n system and overall is a highly beneficial way of spending a period of
\n quarantine.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- Children and other young people should not be introduced to alcohol.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Disinfectant alcohol can
\n easily become accessible for consumption purposes in home isolation. It is
\n important therefore<\/span><\/li>\n- \u00a0Alcohol consumption
\n can increase your suicidal thoughts during the isolation period.<\/span><\/li>\n- \u00a0Alcohol can increase
\n violence, including intimate partner violence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n– Alcohol use disorders and COVID-19<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n\n
Alcohol use disorders are characterized by heavy alcohol use and
\nloss of control over alcohol intake.\u00a0People with alcohol use disorder
\nare at greater risk of COVID-19. If someone has problems in relation to alcohol
\nuse, please consider the following:<\/span><\/div>\n\n- The current situation is a
\n unique opportunity to quit drinking, or at least to cut down
\n considerably.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- Online interventions for
\n alcohol use disorders by professionals.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- You should create a buddy or
\n self-support system with someone you trust and reach out for extra help if
\n needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- Practice social distancing,
\n but not socially isolate: call, text, and\/or write to your friends,
\n colleagues, neighbors, and relatives.<\/span><\/li>\n- Avoid alcohol cues and
\n triggers on TV and social media.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- Try to maintain your daily
\n routine, focus on things that you can control, and try to keep
\n grounded.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- If you become infected, discuss with health personnel your alcohol consumption so that they can make the most appropriate decisions concerning your overall health condition.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
– How to find reliable information and how to spot
\nmisinformation<\/span><\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n\n- We should seek trusted
\n sources of information, such as WHO, national health authorities, and
\n health professionals.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- Websites and texts that use the same message and have the same writing and overall style, should be avoided. Because these are likely to be viral messages produced for mass distribution those are intended to mislead.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- We should beware of false
\n and misleading claims, particularly about the effects of alcohol o health
\n and immunity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- We should beware of claims made online that alcohol offers any essential benefits that really really need to have during our isolation period. Alcohol us in no way a necessary
\n component of diet and lifestyle.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n- Websites and social media posts that offer online sales and home
\ndelivery should be avoided.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n(Please download this original pdf file of WHO for more details)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n