Coronavirus is not Curbed by Alcohol
Generally, alcohol does not do us any good when our health is concerned. Besides, when it comes to violence and risky behaviour, alcohol is a well-known trigger – it pushes the button, including cases of violence between partners in a relationship. Do you also know that alcohol can poison you? That’s right!
During the lockdown in this period of covid-19, consuming alcohol can make the health condition more vulnerable, instigate violence, risky behaviours, and problems with mental health.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO)/Europe, the use of alcohol does not keep people safe from the coronavirus, and they urge the government to implement restrictions on the consumption of alcohol.
Clearing myths surrounding alcohol use for covid-19
In responding to the impact of the coronavirus on public health, the WHO have partnered with several organisations to bust myths and offer a clear guide by developing a factsheet on all you should know about covid-19 and alcohol.
The rise in the number of infected persons during the pandemic has caused fear and led to many unfounded truths or myths that say drinking a very strong alcohol can eliminate the coronavirus. Unfortunately, this is not true.
It might interest you to know that a lot of health risks arise from the use of alcohol, and taking very strong ethyl alcohol (ethanol), especially when this has been mixed with methanol can lead to serious health problems even death!
We do advise that if you feel you have been exposed to sick persons lately or just returned from places with a high number of coronavirus cases, you should go for a covid-19 testing in London. This is far better than self-medication using alcohol as health experts will precisely diagnose your risks and know how best to help you.
As a substance that affects the mind or mental process, alcohol can result in mental issues particularly in persons that are in self-isolation and are susceptible – those at risk or who have a disorder from alcohol intake.
Health services and department have to be ready and on the lookout to assist those who are having this problem. Now more than ever, people should try as much as possible to refrain from the use of alcohol and debunk the myth that the coronavirus cannot withstand the effect of very strong alcohol.
Making alcohol use less accessible in the coronavirus period
3 million deaths which happen all around the world per year are caused by alcohol. A third of these deaths happen in the European regions of the WHO. Research shows that this area records the greatest number of alcohol consumption, the highest most common alcohol consumers, the greatest number of cases of alcohol use disorders, and the greatest number of deaths resulting from alcohol.
Experts in the study of alcohol and drug use say that the European region records an excessive use of alcoholic drinks and the number of casualties is very high. There are also concerns that during the lockdown and stay-at-home order, the risks of leaving people within the confines of their home with a substance that is dangerous to their health and influences their behaviour on others is high and should be evaluated.
Based on this, the bar on all health protection regulations and rules to lower the danger of alcohol intake by making it inaccessible should be raised and reinforced during this period of coronavirus and any emergency that arise. Most importantly, every plan of relaxing these regulations or their implementation should not be welcomed.
Some people may not know that taking alcohol is detrimental to their health which is the reason why it’s important that while upholding these rules, there should be a public sensitisation program on the use and dangers of alcohol so people can know exactly what it is and how to protect themselves.
Agencies or services set up to control drug and alcohol use should be properly maintained and empowered to carry out their duties.
Are there alternatives?
Report shows that a vaccine against the novel coronavirus is underway and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention CDC has encouraged the public to maintain social distancing, regular hand washing, and avoiding touching their mouth, nose, and eyes in the interim.
Instead of using alcohol, you can take other health drinks and eat a well-balanced diet to boost your immune system strength and keep you healthy.
Drinking enough water daily is also a good recommendation as it increases the rate of metabolic activities in the body and regulates temperature. These alternatives have more benefits than using alcohol and endangering your life and sparking off unhealthy social behaviour.
Key takeaways
Alcohol is not the right treatment or preventive measure against the coronavirus as against popular opinion. It is out of fear and wrong information that people believe alcohol can help the body fight against this viral infection.
Instead of stopping covid-19, alcohol will only succeed in making health condition worse and cause risky behaviours among people. The time is right to stop holding onto this belief without evidence, and the right thing is done to keep everyone very safe and without any further health complications.
Substance control services should stay alert and do their job very well so that this menace can be nipped in the bud, especially in areas that have not been known for so much alcohol consumption and consequences.
Now that you know how much harm alcohol can do, the onus lies on your decision to control your intake and inform others about the unpleasant consequences of drinking alcohol.
At any time you experience any symptom of the coronavirus, please report to your doctor or healthcare provider at once. They may recommend that you get a covid-19 test in London to know your level of risk and what treatment is right for you.
The coronavirus is not a hoax! Use your face masks, and alcohol-based hand sanitiser as much as needed. Take responsibility for your health and the safety of others. Together, it gets better!
