Drinking alcohol poses higher health risks during COVID-19 pandemic: WHO

Coronavirus outbreak has led to changes in alcohol drinking patterns of the people across the countries. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a statement on Monday warning the people of higher health risks from alcohol consumption amid COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO’s Regional Office for Europe released an advisory reminding the people that drinking alcohol does not guarantee protection from COVID-19 virus. The international body also published a factsheet clarifying about the claims that high-strength alcohol can kill the virus, calling it a "dangerous myth". WHO added that consumption of high-strength alcohol can result in severe health issues, including death, particularly if it is adulterated with methanol.

The health organization also pointed out that alcohol consumption weakens the immunity system of the body and can lead to a range of communicable and noncommunicable diseases and mental health disorders. These can make a person more exposed and vulnerable to the virus. WHO further pointed out that alcohol is responsible for 3 million deaths a year worldwide. The health body urged government leaders to enforce measures to limit the sale and consumption of alcohol in their countries.

Earlier, WHO had called drinking alcoholic drinks an "unhelpful coping strategy" for cabin fever during the COVID-19 lockdown. Furthermore, the global health agency also affirmed that spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body will not kill viruses that have already entered the body but can be harmful to the eyes or mouth. Under appropriate recommendations, spirits and chlorine can be used to disinfect surfaces.

This statement by the global health body has come for the protection of citizens amid the pandemic fears. While there are some reports suggesting that New Yorkers are drinking alcohol more frequently during their work-from-home schedule amid lockdown, other reports claim that millions of Britons have reduced alcohol consumption in order to manage their lifestyle during the quarantine.

According to Nielsen study, alcohol off-premise retail sales in the United States saw massive growth in March as consumer stock up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcohol sales went up by 55% the week of March 21 in the US. In the United Kingdom, while some have increased alcohol consumption, a large number of people are consuming less alcohol or stopped completely during the Coronavirus lockdown. As per a report by The Guardian, one in five people (close to 8.6 million adults) is drinking more alcohol. However, one in three (14 million) are trying to stop drinking.

With liquor stores and bars shut in India for weeks, alcohol prices in India’s grey market have soared. People are increasingly searching on the internet ways to make homemade alcohol during the lockdown.

It is crucial for the citizens to control liquor consumption as the number of Coronavirus cases continues to surge across the countries. The COVID-19 pandemic crossed 2 million confirmed infections and 130,000 deaths worldwide on Wednesday.