Misinformation Causes Fear-mongering

As I walked across a market yesterday to get to a meeting, I was stopped by some female market vendors who were stressed out about a 24-hour lockdown, which was supposedly being imposed from 10pm yesterday. Except, they were freaking out over nothing. There is no 24-hour lockdown, no new measures have been announced by Government. It took me about 15 minutes to convince these ladies that nothing of this sort was happening.

Upon further probing, I was told that they read about this on Facebook.

Misinformation on social media is nothing new.

We saw a surge in this during the general elections. We are once again seeing discredited Facebook pages spreading outright lies such as a man in Ba testing positive, while his wife succumbing to coronavirus. Right now any form of misinformation is leading to panic and fearmongering, which is something we do not need.

We have some reasons to celebrate, three of our COVID-19 patients have tested negative.

At this point in time we do not need any complacency nor any fear-mongering. Correct dissemination of information has always been important but right now more than ever.

This is why it is crucial that instead of believing those who hide their identities behind fake accounts, people listen to advisories by Government through official channels and through mainstream media.

Because unlike mainstream media, who do their due diligence, fake accounts and keyboard warriors only shoot their mouths and do so rather strategically to cause panic.

This is no longer just another case of fake news. This is far more serious.

This is a case of fear-mongering, a case of driving people into a frenzy and this will help no one. COVID-19 has spawned countless conspiracy theories, hoaxes, and falsehoods around the world.

Some facts to be aware of:

■ When a case will be confirmed, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will make a televised national address. The timing will not be same every time.

People need to know that a lot of issues need to be finalised before an announcement is made such as whether there would be a lockdown, how to assist people within confined areas etc.

■ There is still a total ban on social gathering.

This means you cannot pay a social call to a relative’s house or a friend’s house.

■ Curfew is still in place from

8pm until 5am daily.

■ Children, elderly and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk. Families should not gather in big groups when out shopping.

■ Nothing is back to normal. Get used to this new normal where precautions need to be taken at every step.