We’re constantly being reminded of COVID-19 safety precautions, but when so many myths get in the way of facts, how do we know what is true?

There are two different types of cells that fight off infections and bacteria in our bodies: Innate immunity cells and adaptive. Innate immunity cells are the cells to first attack a virus or infection; they are the frontline. On the other hand, adaptive cells (white blood cells) are the backup. When something slips through or gets past the innate immunity cells, the adaptive cells fight. T and B lymphocytes are also known as our white blood cells, the cells which fight. These cells can detect when they come in contact with a virus or infection that had fought off before, says Cancer Treatment Centers of America. This is why vaccines boost our immune system, building our bodies in case we come in contact with whatever it is, again.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, live, attenuated vaccines put proteins in our body that don’t belong, so our bodies start making T-lymphocytes and antibodies to build immunity. Sometimes, when someone gets a vaccination, they might get a fever shortly after. This is a sign that their body is building immunity. In other cases, vaccines put proteins in our bodies and program our system to make antibodies. These are known as mRNA vaccines, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 COVID-19 Myths:

Cold weather and snow can kill COVID-19.

This is false. There is no scientific evidence that] low temperatures kill COVID-19 according to the Mayo Clinic Health System although temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit can kill the disease, says NBCI.

Masks don’t do anything.

The purpose of wearing a mask isn’t just to prevent ourselves from getting COVID-19, but also to prevent us from spreading it, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The ‘new’ CoronaVirus was deliberately created.

Viruses can mutate and evolve over time so they can become more contagious or deadly than before. This mutation/evolution can happen in animals and be passed to humans, and according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it was most likely not man-made.

What about the COVID-19 vaccines’ long-term effects?

There is nothing wrong with worrying about its long-term effects because it’s so recent, and there is no data on what the impact could be, says Mercury News.

 As long as we continue keeping ourselves and others around us safe, we will make it through this pandemic.