Apr 17, 2020 11:07:00

WHO officially recommends 'reducing alcohol consumption during a pandemic'

With the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the scope of the “

Emergency Declaration ” was expanded all over Japan on April 16, 2020. It is also reported that alcohol sales are rapidly increasing as the pandemic of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, but on April 14, 2020, the World Health Organization European Secretariat (WHO/Europe) 'The new coronavirus in the body does not die even if ingesting a high concentration of alcohol,' emphasized the danger of alcohol again.

WHO/Europe | Alcohol use-Alcohol does not protect against COVID-19; access should be restricted during lockdown
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/alcohol-use/news/news/2020/04/alcohol-does-not-protect-against-covid-19-access- should-be-restricted-during-lockdown

It is well known that alcohol is closely linked not only to various health problems, but also to mental problems . However, in the midst of this pandemic, the hoax that 'drinking works against the new coronavirus' is spreading. Twenty-seven people who believed in this hoax died in Iran, where drinking was legally prohibited on March 1, 2020.

27 people died of methanol poisoning believing that drinking alcohol works against the new coronavirus-GIGAZINE

On April 14, 2020, WHO/Europe again mentioned this hoax. “Fear and false information have created the dangerous myth that new coronaviruses die when ingested with high concentrations of alcohol. The fact is not. Ingesting alcohol increases health risks and Ingestion of ethanol , especially methanol, can result in serious health consequences and, in the worst case, death.'

WHO/Europe also pointed out that drinking alcohol may reduce the body's immune system, increasing the risk of disease and mental health. In other words, drinking makes the human body more vulnerable to the new coronavirus. For these reasons, WHO/Europe states that 'alcohol consumption should be minimized during the new coronavirus pandemic.'

Alcohol produces 3 million deaths annually, with one third occurring in the European region, WHO/Europe said. He pointed out that people in Europe have various problems caused by drinking, saying, ``It is now time to self-isolate the health problems and the risk of taking alcohol that creates violence with the new coronavirus pandemic. I should think about it.'

On March 20, 2020, WHO Secretary-General Tedros Adanom announced that 'health management is important when facing a pandemic' and issued 'health advice' including restrictions on drinking. I will. The advice is below.

•

Eat healthy, nutritious foods that help your immune system function .
・Restrict alcohol and avoid sweet drinks.
・Because smoking increases the risk of COVID-19 becoming severe, stop smoking.
・Adults exercise 30 minutes a day, children exercise 1 hour a day.
・When working from home, take a 3-minute break every 30 minutes.
・If you are worried about anxious news, limit the amount of news you see.
・Listen to music, read books, play games to ease anxiety.

WHO will continue to provide health advice related to COVID-19.