Iran is one of the countries that got hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which recorded 5,806 deaths and more than 91,000 confirmed cases, as reported by the Time.
Photo source: Daily Mail
According to Sin Chew Daily, many Iranians believed the rumor that drinking alcohol could kill COVID-19, thus causing over 700 people died of alcohol poisoning. The Iranian Ministry of Health pointed out the there are 5,011 people were poisoned by accidentally drinking toxic methanol, which included 525 deaths and 90 people losing their eyesight or suffering eye damage, since February 20.
Drinking alcohol is prohibited in Iran, and if people want to drink alcohol, they can only get private alcohol. The government requires methanol factories to add artificial colors to their products to differentiate them from medical ethanol (alcohol). The alcohol used in these production industries will poison or even kill humans.
Cover photo: Ars Technica || Promises Behavioral Health
