Beware of health misinformation!

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Remember the good old days when most of the time only confirmed and reliable health information used to reach you. Your source of this information was through academic journals, books, newspapers, brochures, booklets, pamphlets, or your doctor's and health organizations.  But the growing social media platforms has created hurdles in the reach of genuine information to the masses. Instead what reaches them is health misinformation through social media posts created by people who have no knowledge about health. These are quacks operating. And social media helps spread this misinformation like fire. This is dangerous. It is playing with the lives of people.  Read here: Politicians vs doctors: believe whom? Most of this information is false and not accurate. It can be misleading. Sadly, even governments assist in spread of this misinformation. Most politicians these days are illiterate and shameless who boast about past and have no vision for the present or the future. Moreover, s...

Is coronavirus a pollutant?

Coronavirus been infecting people and the air since the past year and a half. It is definitely a contaminant in the air and harmful to people. Can it be called a contaminant? 

Definition of pollutant 

A pollutant is "any solid, liquid, gaseous, or thermal irritant or contaminant, including smoke, vapor, soot fumes, acids, alkalis, asbestos, chemicals, petroleum, petroleum products and petroleum by-products, and waste...."

So it is all inanimate things. But further be definition, 

Pollutants include, but are not limited to, substances which are generally recognized in the industry or by the government to be harmful or toxic to persons, property or the environment regardless of whether injury or damage is caused directly or indirectly by a pollutant. 

Is coronavirus a pollutant? 

There are various views on this. Since coronavirus is a contaminant, it might over the course of time be put in the category pollutant. But some states since 2006 have excluded viruses from the category of pollutants if the matter concerned is about it affecting business income. 

Coronavirus and world (Source: The Conversation) 

Covid does contaminate building and other surfaces. But it does not cause damage to these structures. It only affects humans. Also, the surfaces affected can be cleaned. Additionally, dome feel that pollutants are usually man-made and coronavirus is a natural thing if we exclude the accusations that China made it in the Wuhan lab. 

What is Desserto? 

But some argue that since coronavirus is a contaminant and affects humans directly it should come under the purview of a pollutant and included in that list. Additionally, many feel that it is a solid irritant and causes respiratory irritation. Hence it is like a pollutant and has to be included in that list. The courts will have to decide on it but again the opinions of the judges may vary on it. 

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