THE inclusion of miniature bottles of cognac in special COVID-19 care packages issued by authorities in Kenya has attracted quite a backlash.
Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko, has confirmed the inclusion of Hennessy in food parcels given out to the community, saying the alcoholic beverage would act as a "good throat sanitiser".
"I think from the research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO)...it has been believed that alcohol plays a major role in killing the coronavirus," Sonko said in a video to the Nairobi public.
However the local distributor of the tipple has moved to debunk Sonko's suggestions.
"Hennessy would like to stress that the consumption of our brand or any other alcoholic beverage does not protect against the virus," said a statement by country manager Anne-Claire Delamarre.
"In line with the WHO and Ministry of Health Kenya, Hennessy advises on washing hands regularly with soap and water or hydro-alcoholic gels, wearing face masks, practicing social distancing and staying at home," the distiller added.
The WHO has also warned against the measure, saying "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 behaviour on others, including violence".
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