PHOTO: Col. Patrick Sudue, Police IG
By Wremongar Blojay Joe II, Wremongarjoe@gmail.com
CLAIM: The Inspector-General of the Liberia National Police has claimed in a viral video that use of cellphone is one of the best ways COVID-19 can infect people.
VERDICT: There is no evidence to authenticate Col. Sudue’s claim that cellphones are “one of best ways” COVID-19 can be transmitted.
Full Text:
The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Col. Patrick Sudue while on a public awareness campaign in Paynesville city, claimed that residents should be careful with their cellphones as it can get them infected with Covid-19.
“Telephone is one of the best ways Covid can be transmitted,” Col. Sudue said.
The IGP went further to warn the residents that taking another person’s phone and answering it to your ear can get you infected with the deadly virus.
He said in the video. “Somebody will have the disease and say oh.. your friend wants to talk to you and you.. you will just grab the phone and put it to your ear”
He continued” the person got the sickness and the sickness on the phone, the sickness will affect you.”
A twenty-five (25) seconds video of the Inspector General of Police standing a Nissan SUV with a loudspeaker, streaming from the top of his lungs has gone viral on Facebook with scores of confusing captions.
Facebook user Abe Dukuly posts Col Sudue’s getting more than 50 reactions
Smartphones and COVID-19 transmission: What are the facts?
As Liberia records nearly 110 cases of COVID-19 daily, and with uncertainties around COVID-19 transmission continuing, experts say it’s unlikely you’ll be infected by your smartphone — but you should probably sanitize it anyway.
The World Health Organization and United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention both say it’s theoretically possible for the virus that causes COVID-19 to live on surfaces and infect people, although it has not been proven.
The WHO cites previous studies that found the virus can survive on surfaces like plastic, glass and metals for periods ranging from hours to days, depending on the environment, the type of surface and even the location, such as health care facilities where COVID-19 patients are being treated.
Several research done by this reporter suggest there haven’t been any documented cases of transmission through a smartphone, but sanitizing your phone is just good hygiene, akin to washing your hands.
Despite evidence of the survival of the virus on certain surfaces, there are no specific studies that have directly demonstrated transmission by touching surfaces.
How does COVID-19 Spread?
According to the World Health Organization, the disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spreads between people in several different ways: from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe.
These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller sprays.
Current evidence suggests that the virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with each other, typically within 1 metre (short-range).
A person can be infected when aerosols or droplets containing the virus are inhaled or come directly into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.
The COVID-19 virus can also spread in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor settings, where people tend to spend longer periods of time. This is because aerosols remain suspended in the air or travel farther than 1 metre (long-range).
Further research is ongoing to better understand the spread of the virus and which settings are riskiest and why.
Research is also under way to study virus variants that are emerging and why some are more transmissible, that according to WHO
Conclusion: None of the evidence available so far support the Liberian Police Inspector General Patrick Sudue’s claim that the use of cellphone is one of the best ways Covid-19 is transmitted. However, health experts advise sanitizing your phone good hygiene, similar to washing your hands.
Note: The researcher produced this fact-check per the Dubawa 2020 Fellowship partnership with the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) to facilitate the ethos of truth in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.