World Health Organisation gives warning to people drinking booze during lockdown

With a lot of the world currently under lockdown due to the coronavirus, boredom might start to creep in.

One way a lot of people are easing this boredom is by drinking, with booze being used to help many of us through this uncertain period.

While this might seem like a good idea at the time, the World Health Organisation has released a warning for people boozing during lockdown.



WHO has recommended limiting your alcohol consumption during the crisis, saying that it can cause ‘health vulnerability, risk-taking behaviours, mental health issues and violence’.

The organisation published a report yesterday, writing: “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.”

According to WHO EURO’s Programme Manager for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs, Carina Ferreira-Borges, if people are drinking too much it could lead to some serious problems.

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.”

WHO also took the opportunity to call out the myth that drinking can protect you from coronavirus, saying: “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.”