According to a survey carried out in the United Kingdom (UK) in March 2020, 84 percent of British people believe that washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizer is a precaution against coronavirus (COVID-19). Furthermore, 80 percent think it is true that the virus can be spread to people of any age, although 14 percent of Brits incorrectly believe the virus can be transmitted by parcels and packages.
For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Fact and Figures page.
Which of the following, if any, do you believe to be true about COVID-19/coronavirus?
Characteristic
Share of responses
Washing your hands frequently / using hand sanitizer is a recommended precaution to keep healthy
84%
The virus can spread to people of any age
80%
The new coronavirus causes symptoms similar to the cold and flu e.g. high fever, cough
80%
People of any race / ethnicity can catch the virus
78%
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands is a recommended precaution to keep healthy
76%
Most people recover from the disease without needing special treatment
63%
It's possible to catch the infection from someone who doesn't feel unwell
59%
The new coronavirus is more dangerous than the winter flu
38%
Taking traditional herbal medicines are not effective against the virus
29%
The virus can be caught from packages / parcels*
14%
Spraying alcohol or chlorine on your body can kill the new coronavirus*
11%
Thoroughly cooking meat and eggs is recommended to prevent infection spread
9%
Antibiotics can help prevent and treat the new coronavirus*
4%
Vaccines against pneumonia can protect against the new coronavirus*
3%
Regularly rinsing your nose with saline can prevent infection*
3%
Hand dryers effectively kill the virus*
3%
If I wear a face mask, I definitely won’t catch the virus*
2%
Eating garlic can help protect people against the new coronavirus*
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GWI. (March 12, 2020). Which of the following, if any, do you believe to be true about COVID-19/coronavirus? [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105774/coronavirus-knowledge-in-the-uk/
GWI. "Which of the following, if any, do you believe to be true about COVID-19/coronavirus?." Chart. March 12, 2020. Statista. Accessed December 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105774/coronavirus-knowledge-in-the-uk/
GWI. (2020). Which of the following, if any, do you believe to be true about COVID-19/coronavirus?. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105774/coronavirus-knowledge-in-the-uk/
GWI. "Which of The Following, If Any, Do You Believe to Be True about Covid-19/Coronavirus?." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 Mar 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105774/coronavirus-knowledge-in-the-uk/
GWI, Which of the following, if any, do you believe to be true about COVID-19/coronavirus? Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105774/coronavirus-knowledge-in-the-uk/ (last visited December 18, 2024)
Which of the following, if any, do you believe to be true about COVID-19/coronavirus? [Graph], GWI, March 12, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1105774/coronavirus-knowledge-in-the-uk/
