The Pandemic vs Fake News

Written By: Shoaib Ahmed

As the outbreak of the virus took place in China, the world saw China hiding actual number of cases, its spread, and how fatal it might be. These things remain misinformed to the world. This misinformation not only caused the spread of the COVID-19 across the world but also kept at bay countries from taking immediate measures to contain the virus. The misinformation caused hundreds of thousands of deaths across the globe. USA, Western Europe, Russia, Brazil and South Asian countries i.e., India, Pakistan has been hotspots of this pandemic. A video got viral regarding the outbreak of the virus. (COVID-19 Pandemic A Divine Curse Or Cure?) It claimed huge surge of Covid-19 infected patients at Service Hospital Lahore. Later confirmation from authorities explained that due to short circuit, one of the wards of hospital patients were moved to another ward. This twisting of events is increasing the panic which discourages patients to appear for testing as well as admission in hospital. Besides there is fear in some quarters of population that COVID-19 infected people are put under strict conditions in quarantine and isolation centers.  Misinformation regarding the handing over of dead bodies to relatives has also risked hospitals’ staff lives. There is also a common misconception among the masses regarding the virus which is that the virus dies down once an infected person passes away. However in reality the dead body can still spread the virus. An event took place at JMPC Karachi, where a COVID-19 patient died. Upon hearing the news, relatives of the patient broke into the hospital and threatened hospital authorities to hand over the dead body. But the authorities refused to hand over the dead body. Because of this the relatives of dead patient attacked the hospital staff and broke the medical equipment of the hospital. Such events are creating fear in the heart of the doctors who are fighting on the frontlines against the pandemic.  State of denial from government officials from severity to prevention of COVID-19 is now causing panic among the masses. The number of cases is increasing at an alarming rate and the health care system is on the verge of being overwhelmed observing averagely 4000 cases daily compared to hundreds initially. The masses have also adopted this state of denial, with mild symptoms patients unwilling to visit for testing. The fear of the COVID-19 has already worsened situation in the country. Officials as well as masses have to collectively put their efforts in curbing the COVID-19.

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The above article is written and submitted to Askedon by Shoaib Ahmed.