Arbor Health | Arbor Health and Life | Winter 2021

Buyer, beware. Scammers are trying to take advantage of fears about the coro- navirus. They’re peddling phony cures, fake treatments and bogus in-home testing kits. Don’t fall for it The virus that causes COVID-19 is new in humans. As of press time, we are still awaiting a vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And the only treatments are for people in the hospital with severe COVID-19. Scientists are working on these things. In the meantime, some people and companies are trying to fill the knowledge gap by selling products that, at best, aren’t approved by FDA. At worst, they could prove dangerous to you and your family. Warning letters have been sent FDA and the Federal Trade Commission have sent out many warning letters to companies hawking cures and treatments—such as teas, essential oils, tinctures and colloidal silver. And they expect to send even more. FDA also has its eye on companies REMEMBER THIS: If you have symptoms of COVID-19, speak to your doctor. They will advise you on whether you should get tested. For appointments at an Arbor Health primary care clinic, call: Randle Clinic, 360-497-3333 Morton Clinic, 360-496-5145 Mossyrock Clinic, 360-983-8990 COVID-19 STAY ALERT A L E R T A L E R T A L E R T A L E R T and phony CLAIMS harmful to selling fake in-home COVID-19 test kits. The agency has OK’d some at-home test kits for the illness. But they require a doctor’s order. Fake test kits and other scams could keep some patients from seeking care. Or they could lead people to delay treatment. Scammers also are sending out phony COVID-19 emails, some even claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some of these emails ask for your personal information. They might also falsely say you need to register to receive govern- ment payments. Don’t be fooled into clicking on any attachments to these emails. That could download malware onto your computer. How to avoid scams Here are a few tips for identifying bogus claims: ● Treatments are available, but only for patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19. ● Know that no foods or dietary supplements have been approved for preventing or treating the virus. Ditto with products marketed for veterinary use or research use only. ● Know that home test kits are only available by a doctor’s order. ● Be wary of products that claim to treat a wide range of diseases. ● Be aware that personal stories are not scientific evidence. ● Remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. ● View so-called miracle cures with a great deal of skepticism. They are likely a hoax. 5 MYARBORHEALTH.ORG