People in Turkey are allowing themselves to be stung by bees, believing it strengthens their immune systems and prevents them from becoming infected with COVID-19.
The claims centre around residents in the Turkish city of Malatya where they have been periodically participating in the bee-sting practice, and claim it has kept away the virus.
Beekeepers are not opposed to this theory either, saying that honey-bee stings are beneficial for many ailments.
Cahit Aslan, 52, who has been a beekeeper for eight years, told local the newspaper Yenicag Gazetesi: “I had rheumatism pain, I have been using bee stings for five or six years and benefit greatly from it.
“My knees, arms and shoulders were full of aches and pains. It was getting worse and worse and the honey bees stopped my pain.”
Aslan said: “It is said that it is good for the new coronavirus. Everyone around me is asking me about it. Locals visit after we set up an appointment and get stung by the bees with my help.
“Some citizens may be allergic to bees so it may not be good for everyone, but I can say it is beneficial for me.”
Aslan added that he does not charge people for being stung by his bees.
Despite the confident claims of Aslan and other believers, experts warned that this practise should be avoided since there is no scientific study backing up the theory, and bee stings in the event of analogy can also cause death.
A honeybee stings a person 
A honeybee on Beekeeper Cahit Aslan’s tumb
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Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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