Media Understanding Can Help Stop Misinformation: Lecturer
The University of Fiji public health lecturer, Doctor Samuela Korovo, says it is important that media personnel are well versed with the coronavirus to avoid misinformation. Mr Korovo was speaking at a coronavirus (officially coded COVID-19) awareness session at the university’s Saweni, Lautoka Campus on Friday. “Misinformation is one of the things that must be addressed and the media must be advised on what is right,” he said. “Misinformation is causing discrimination of Asian communities within the country. When we look at the spread of the disease it’s not only in China and the other countries being implicated, it’s now around the world.
“The message needs to be made clear that irrespective of colour, race and where you come from you will be affected if the environment is conducive.” Mr Korovo said there was misconception that cross contamination was a cause of the disease. “These are all assumptions, the government of China and WHO (World Health Organisation) are working on what could be the cause, specifically looking at the hotel industry to see the probable cause,” he said.
Mr Korovo said more resources were needed for the South Pacific to effectively mitigate the disease.
“We have to look at manpower and the personal protective equipment that has to be in place, not only for the health workers but for the total population,” he said.
“One of those layers of activities is looking after border security and the other is sharing information from the world and neighbouring countries.”
As of February 14, the worldwide total cases stands at 60,400; mainland China has recorded 59,822 so far.
This figure includes the 218 cases on board the cruise ship, Diamond Princess, off the Japanese coast.
So far China has recorded 1523 deaths, while Hong Kong, Japan and the Philippines have recorded 1 death each, so far.