Reflection on teaching behavior changes for basic prevention of COVID-19

Abstract

Currently, approximately 27.6 million cases and an estimated 898,000 deaths from COVID - 19 are reported worldwide. In El Salvador the figures are also high 26,602 cases and 775 deaths2. For their part, Universities as Institutions of Higher Education (IES) have social responsibility and, in addition, as part of their substantive functions they must promote reflective spaces to create a preventive culture and health promotion. characteristics of the pathophysiology of infection by this virus, daily shed new data that are reaffirmed or discarded over the days. In the same way, myths continually arise regarding it´ s spread and prevention: "Surgical masks or others such as N-95 cause carbon dioxide poisoning or lack of oxygen" (N95 masks duly approved by regulatory bodies such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Properly fitted to the face can protect against aerosols released by speaking or coughing, but they do not make it difficult to breathe oxygen) 3, "Heat stops the spread of the virus" (although heat reduces the survival of the virus, environmental heat in itself does not protect against infection in the right conditions for said person-to-person infection is effective), "5G mobile networks spread the virus", "Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are effective treatments against COVID-19" (so far only this drug has been shown to be effective in treating malaria and even for some autoimmune diseases, but not to treat this viral infection), "The virus was accidentally created or released from a laboratory" (when in fact the available information treats a zoonosis), "UV lamps are more effective at eliminating the virus than washing hands with soap and water or applying alcohol-based disinfectant gels" (UV lamps can cause damage to eyes or skin) 4 .