Hennessy issues statement after Sonko’s alcohol donation in coronavirus fight

Cognac producer Hennessy has issued a statement clarifying that their alcohol brand does not protect against the coronavirus.

This is after Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko donated coronavirus care packages including  small bottles of Hennessy cognac to the less fortunate claiming that research from the World Health Organization showed that alcohol kills the virus.

“Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating across different media channels on Tuesday April 14, 2020 alleging that the consumption of Hennessy helps to fight against COVID-19.

“Hennessy would like to stress that the consumption of our brand or any other alcoholic beverage does not protect against the virus,” said Hennessy in the statement.

In the widely shared clip, Sonko who was addressing a press conference said: ” We are giving some small bottles of Hennessy in the food pack which we should give to our people… From the research conducted by the World Health Organization it has been revealed that alcohol plays a major role in killing the coronavirus or any sort of virus.”

The World Health Organization has previously warned that drinking alcohol cannot protect one from COVID-19.

“We will have some small bottles of Hennessy in the food packs that we will be giving to our people…” – Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko

Note: WHO warns that drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous pic.twitter.com/vuSuVAb8dy

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) April 14, 2020

WHO and the Ministry of Health advises on washing hands regularly with soap and water or hydro-alcoholic gels, wearing face masks, practicing social distancing and staying at home to prevent spread of the virus.