COVID-19 Myths & Facts

MYTH: A negative test indicates it is ok to hang-out with large groups of people.
FACT: A negative test means the virus was not active in your body. It does not mean you are immune or that you have not been infected in the time since the test.
MYTH: Face masks replace the need for social distancing.
FACT: Face masks reduce but do not cut the possibility of virus transfer. Therefore, everyone still needs to practice social distancing for several reasons:
- Everyone does not wear face masks. *Face coverings protects others, and their masks protects you.
- Everyone does not wear face masks correctly. *Face masks must completely cover the nose and mouth.
- Non-medical grade masks are not going to catch all respiratory droplets.

MYTH: COVID-19 is similar to the flu.
FACT: Both the flu and COVID-19 spread from person to person through droplets in the air from an infected person coughing, sneezing, or talking. Yet, major differences make COVID-19 more likely to spread and cause more severe illness. The death rate for COVID-19 is anywhere from 4 to 15 times higher than the seasonal flu, which only has a mortality rate of .1%
MYTH: If a person feels well, then they do not have COVID-19 and cannot spread it to others.
FACT: COVID-19 research shows about 20% of people infected with the virus remain symptom-free. Asymptomatic people can spread the virus (https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/covid19/documents/community-outreach/covid-19-african-american-communities.pdf