The World Health Organization recommended limiting alcohol
consumption during the coronavirus pandemic as it can cause "health
vulnerability, risk-taking behaviours, mental health issues and violence".
According to WHO's report, published yesterday: “Alcohol
compromises the body’s immune system and increases the risk of adverse health
outcomes.
“Therefore, people should minimise their alcohol consumption
at any time, and particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The authority warns people not to believe the myth that
drinking can protect people from coronavirus - instead, it can make people more
vulnerable to it.
WHO EURO's Programme Manager for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs,
Carina Ferreira-Borges, said high booze consumption in Europe could risk
"too many victims."
She added: "During the Covid-19 pandemic, we should
really ask ourselves what risks we are taking in leaving people under lockdown
in their homes with a substance that is harmful both in terms of their health
and the effects of their behavior on others, including violence."
In the UK the Chief Medical Officers' guidelines for both
men and women state that you should drink no more than 14 units a week.
One unit of alcohol is 10ml of pure alcohol, meaning 14
units equates to six pints of average strength beer or six medium glasses of
wine, according to leading charity Drinkaware.
Worldwide, alcohol is responsible for approximately three
million deaths - with a third of those deaths in the WHO European Region,
according to the report.
WHO added: "Fear and misinformation have generated a
dangerous myth that consuming high-strength alcohol can kill the Covid-19
virus.
"It does not. Consuming any alcohol poses health risks,
but consuming high-strength ethyl alcohol (ethanol), particularly if it has
been adulterated with methanol, can result in severe health consequences,
including death."
The push to limit alcohol consumption comes as the number of
confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States is now more than 674,640.
At least 34,522 people in America have died from the killer
virus.
On Tuesday, Carina tweeted: "Stay sober so that you can
remain vigilant, act quickly and make decisions with a clear head, for yourself
and others in your family and community."
Carina also shared some helpful tips on how to follow
through with WHO's advice.
Some tips include:
Avoid alcohol altogether
Do not use alcohol to deal with emotions and stress
Never mix alcohol with medications
Avoid alcohol as a social cue for smoking
And most importantly - reach out for help when necessary.
WHO has also warned the public that 5G mobile networks
cannot spread the virus and taking a hot bath does not prevent people from
catching coronavirus.
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