World Health Organization: ‘We did NOT say that cash was transmitting coronavirus’

The World Health Organization pushed back Friday on a report that people should beware of cash as coronavirus spreads.

“We did NOT say that cash was transmitting coronavirus,” WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told MarketWatch in an email. (The capital letters were Chaib’s.) “We were misrepresented,” she added.

The spokeswoman sought to clarify comments in a widely cited article in the U.K. media reporting that the WHO had said “banknotes may be spreading the new coronavirus” and “customers should wash their hands after touching banknotes because infectious Covid-19 may cling to the surface for a number of days.”

The report in the British media said the WHO had suggested customers use contactless payments instead.

“WHO did NOT say banknotes would transmit COVID-19, nor have we issued any warnings or statements about this,” Chaib said in an email. “We were asked if we thought banknotes could transmit COVID-19 and we said you should wash your hands after handling money, especially if handling or eating food.” Doing so is “good hygiene practice,” she added.

Chaib provided 10 preventative measures:

1. “Clean your hands regularly with an alcohol-based hand rub, or wash them with soap and water.”

2. “Clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant – for example kitchen benches and work desks.”

3. “Educate yourself about COVID-19. Make sure your information comes from reliable sources.”

4. “Avoid traveling if you have a fever or cough, and if you become sick while on a flight, inform the crew immediately. Once you get home, make contact with a health professional and tell them about where you have been.”

5. “Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, or use a tissue. Dispose of the tissue immediately into a closed rubbish bin, and then clean your hands.”

6. “Take extra precautions to avoid crowded areas if you are over 60 years old, or if you have an underlying condition.”

7. “If you feel unwell, stay at home and call your doctor or local health professional.”

8. “If you are sick, stay at home, and eat and sleep separately from your family, use different utensils and cutlery to eat.”

9. “If you develop shortness of breath, call your doctor and seek care immediately.”

10. “It’s normal and understandable to feel anxious, especially if you live in a country or community that has been affected. Find out what you can do in your community. Discuss how to stay safe with your workplace, school or place of worship.”

Ref:  marketwatch