Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO (World Health Organization) prepared
a factsheet that provides important information about alcohol consumption
during COVID -19. It addresses the misinformation that is being spread through
social media and other communication channels about alcohol and COVID - 19 and other health risks.
Highlights
- Alcohol means ethyl alcohol or ethanol, that has both sort-terms and
long-term effects on almost single organs of our body, irrespective of
whether it is consumed in the form of wine, beer, spirits, or anything else.
- Evidence suggests that there
is no safe limit of alcohol.
- Consuming alcohol will not destroy Corona Virus. Also, it will not stimulate our immunity and resistance to the virus. In fact, its consumption will likely increase the health risk if a person becomes infected with the virus.
- Parents should make sure that children and young people do not have access to alcohol.
- It is important to understand that alcohol poses risks of health and safety and we should, therefore,
avoid it during periods of home isolation or quarantine.
- Instead of consuming alcohol,
we should try an indoor workout. Physical activity strengthens the immune system.
- We should avoid alcohol advertising and promotion on TV and social media.
- Always seek trusted sources of information, such as WHO, national health authorities, and health professionals.
- We should beware of viral messages and claims, particularly in relation to the effects of alcohol on health and immunity.
- Under no circumstances should we drink any type of alcoholic product as a means of preventing or treating COVID-19 infection.
In details
- General facts about alcohol and our body
Consumption of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is responsible for most of
the harms, irrespective of whether it is consumed in the form of wine, beer,
spirits, or anything else. Also, other toxic substances that may smell
like ethanol can be adulterated in alcoholic beverages illegally, or they may
be present in alcoholic products that are not intended for human consumption.
For example, adulteration of a small amount of methanol may lead to blindness and kidney diseases, among other problems.
Following are the general facts that everyone
should know about the consumption of alcohol and health:
- Alcohol has both short-term
and long-term effects on every single organ of our body. Evidence suggests
that it has no safe limit of consumption.
- Heavy use of alcohol weakens
the immune system.
- Consumption of small quantities of alcohol cause certain types of cancer.
- Alcohol alters our thoughts,
judgment, decision-making, and behavior.
- Consumption of a small amount of alcohol can be a risk to the unborn child at any time during pregnancy.
- Alcohol increases the risk,
frequency, and severity of perpetration of interpersonal violence.
- Alcohol increases the risk of death and injury from road traffic injuries, drowning, and falls.
- Heavy use of alcohol increases the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), one of the most severe complications of COVID-19.
- General myths about alcohol and COVID-19
Myth: consumption of alcohol destroys the virus that
causes COVID-19.
Fact: Consuming alcohol will not destroy Corona Virus.
Unfortunately, its consumption is likely to increase health risks if a person
becomes infected with the virus. Alcohol (at a concentration of at least 60%by volume) works as a disinfectant on our
skin, but it has no such effect within our system when ingested.
Myth: Drinking strong alcohol kills the virus in the inhaled
air.
Fact: Consumption of alcohol will not kill
the Corona Virus in the inhaled air, it will not disinfectant mouth and throat,
and it will not give any kind of protection against COVID-19.
Myth: Alcohol stimulates immunity and resistance to the virus.
Fact: Alcohol weakens our immune system and it will not stimulate immunity and
virus resistance.
- Alcohol: what to do, what not to do, during the COVID-19 pandemic
- We should avoid the
consumption of alcohol so that we do not undermine our own immune system
ad health and do not risk the health of others.
- We should stay sober so that
we can remain vigilant, act quickly, and make decisions with a clear head,
for family and community.
- We should avoid alcohol as a
social cue for smoking and vise versa. Smoking is associated with a more
complicated and dangerous progression of COVID-19.
- Children and
young people should not have access to alcohol. Also, they should
aware of problems associated with drinking and COVID-19, such as violation
of quarantine and physical distancing, which can make the pandemic worse.
- Parents should monitor the
screen time of their children (including TV), as such media are flooded
with alcohol
advertising and promotion, they also spread harmful misinformation that
may stimulate early initiation and increased consumption of alcohol.
- We should never mix alcohol
with medications, even herbal or over-the-counter remedies, as this could
make them less effective, or it might increase their potency to a level
where they become toxic and dangerous.
- People who take any
medication acting on the central nervous system (e.g. pain killers,
sleeping tablets, anti-depressants, etc.) should not consume alcohol.
- Alcohol and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic
WHO recommends a physical distancing of at least one meter from
sick people as a protective measure to slow down the speed of the virus. Bars,
casinos, night clubs, restaurants, and other places where people gather to
consume alcohol (including the home) increase the risk of the spread of the virus.
- Alcohol and home isolation or quarantine
During this pandemic, countries have progressively introduced
community-wide lockdowns and periods of quarantine for those who are suspected
of having contracted the virus.
It is important that alcohol poses risks to our health and safety
and we should, therefore, avoid during periods of quarantine or home isolation.
- Alcohol should not be consumed during the lockdown. Work from home will not possible under the influence of alcohol.
- Alcohol should not be a necessary part of our diet and should be a priority on our shopping list.
We should avoid stockpiling alcohol at home, as this will potentially increase our alcohol consumption and the consumption of others in our household.
- We should invest our
money and other resources in buying healthy and nutrient foods.
- Alcohol does not help to
cope with stress, as it is known to increase the symptoms of panic and
anxiety disorders, depressions, and other mental disorders, and the risk of
family and domestic violence.
- Instead of consuming alcohol, try an indoor workout. Physical activity strengthens the immune
system and overall is a highly beneficial way of spending a period of
quarantine.
- Children and other young people should not be introduced to alcohol.
- Disinfectant alcohol can
easily become accessible for consumption purposes in home isolation. It is
important therefore
- Alcohol consumption
can increase your suicidal thoughts during the isolation period.
- Alcohol can increase
violence, including intimate partner violence.
- Alcohol use disorders and COVID-19
Alcohol use disorders are characterized by heavy alcohol use and
loss of control over alcohol intake. People with alcohol use disorder
are at greater risk of COVID-19. If someone has problems in relation to alcohol
use, please consider the following:
- The current situation is a
unique opportunity to quit drinking, or at least to cut down
considerably.
- Online interventions for
alcohol use disorders by professionals.
- You should create a buddy or
self-support system with someone you trust and reach out for extra help if
needed.
- Practice social distancing,
but not socially isolate: call, text, and/or write to your friends,
colleagues, neighbors, and relatives.
- Avoid alcohol cues and
triggers on TV and social media.
- Try to maintain your daily
routine, focus on things that you can control, and try to keep
grounded.
- 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.
- How to find reliable information and how to spot misinformation
- We should seek trusted sources of information, such as WHO, national health authorities, and health professionals.
- 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.
- We should beware of false and misleading claims, particularly about the effects of alcohol o health and immunity.
- 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 component of diet and lifestyle.
- Websites and social media posts that offer online sales and home delivery should be avoided.
Source:
(Please download this original pdf file of WHO for more details)
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