STRATEGIC COVID-19 PANEMIC COMMITTEE

COVID-19 Questions & Myths

Updated: April 12, 2021

Our panel of physicians have gathered a list of common questions and misconceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic. To inform and provide correct information for Albertans, we have reviewed medical literature to provide evidence-based and apolitical responses below.

Note: The Strategic COVID-19 Pandemic Committee will add to this list as new myths and questions evolve. Please return for more future myth busting.

click on the questions below for the answers

Third Wave

• The Third Wave is Here. How do I prepare?

PUBLIC HEALTH RESTRICTIONS

• Why is this virus so hard to control? Why do we need these restrictions?

• How do you know when a lockdown strategy is needed?

• Is what we have right now a complete lockdown? What is a circuit breaker strategy?

• The restrictions in Alberta have reduced mortality from COVID-19.

WHY CAN WE NOT RESUME NORMAL LIFE

• I'm 35 years old and not likely to die from COVID-19, so why should I have to follow all these rules?

• Why we can’t live with COVID-19 the same way as with seasonal influenza.

• Why we should not use a natural herd immunity strategy?

• What is Long COVID?

POTENTIAL LOCKDOWN BENEFIT

• The COVID-19 restrictions are saving lives.

• More people have died from COVID-19 than lockdowns.

• Which is worse for the economy, the pandemic or public health restrictions?

• COVID-19 has prevented access to healthcare for non-COVID-19 illnesses and conditions.

• Has the rate of suicides and drug overdoses changed during lockdowns?

• Has the crime rate changed during public health restrictions?

HEALTH SYSTEM

• How should we interpret daily data updates to understand the current threat of COVID-19?

• How many patients are in the hospital because of COVID-19 versus “WITH” COVID-19?

• The virus is threatening our healthcare capacity.

CONTACT TRACING

• What is contact tracing and why is it important?

FALSE POSITIVES

• The false positive rate of COVID-19 PCR tests is extremely low. What is a “cycle threshold” in PCR testing?

• False positives and over-testing are not driving up the case numbers. It is important for testing to continue.

Archived February 8 , 2021

HYPOTHETICAL THERAPIES

• Does taking Vitamin D daily protect against COVID-19?

• Ivermectin is not a recommended therapy against this virus.