COVID-19: Nigerians, Safety Professionals Urged not to Misinform Public
Bennett Oghifo
Nigerians and Safety Professionals have been advised not to cause fear and panic among the public by spreading misinformation through the social media.
The 2019-2020 Nigeria Chapter President - American
Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), Nsikak A. Ekam gave the advice in a statement, urging people to stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on
TV and Radio, the Social Media, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health.
Ekam said they would hold the Nigeria Professional Development Conference and Exhibition 2020 (March 19 -21) and Preconference training (March 16 -18, 2020) at NAF, Conference Centre, Abuja with the theme “Productivity & Profitability Matrices to HSE System” to “improve your Safety and Situational Awareness as we journey together (Strength is in numbers) for a Safer OSH future for Nigeria.”
The Safety Professionals applauded the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Lagos State government for early detection and management of lone confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) case. “Our astute physicians,” Doctor was key to our country Nigeria success in case Management. The doctor got in touch with NCDC when he found out he had just come from Milan, collected a sample, tested it and isolated him in a facility in Lagos as per preplanned protocol that manages infectious diseases.
Nigerians should be rest assured that the Government has been strengthening our country preparedness since the first confirmation of cases in China. All the resources made available by the State and the Federal Government to respond to this case.
Nigeria successfully managed Ebola and managed outbreaks all the time and is currently managing Lassa fever. Prevention, early detection and prompt response to infectious disease outbreaks are key.
The statement said, “American Society of Safety Professionals Nigeria Chapter encourages all to take Safety as our personal responsibility and learn from our previous incidents.”
1. Screening at our port of entries is not a foolproof method as the virus has an incubation period of four to five days. Symptom may not be detected.
2. Fever and hightemperature case should be reported to the clinic/ hospital for proper diagnostic management. All clinic/ hospital have a protocol to follow.
3. Avoid self-medication for all fever and hightemperature case including other symptoms like Cough, difficulty breathing, pain in the muscles, tiredness.
4. Avoid contact with unwell people, in particular, those with a cough 5. Follow general rules governing hand hygiene and food hygiene.
6. Wash your hands with soap and water OR use an alcohol-based disinfectant solution before eating, after using the toilet and after any contact with animals.
7. Catch cough and sneeze with the handkerchief and disposable tissues.
8. Throw away disposable tissues and then wash your hands (Don’t share handkerchief).
9. If you don’t have tissue or handkerchief, use your sleeves.
10. Avoid touching your eyes nose and mouth with unwashed hands