Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran’s appeal for netizens to refrain from spreading fake news about the coronavirus wasn’t being redundant after all. It was in fact an appeal that was relevant as well as urgent.
With the Department of Health confirmation yesterday that the country now has a confirmed case of the coronavirus, his appeal assumes even more relevance and urgency Those who thought it was a redundant appeal must have thought: of course people would be careful about spreading misinformation. We are collectively facing a global emergency, who would dare play with facts here? As events unfolded, there are in fact many people who think it is cute to scare people off by passing wrong information about the virus. Here in Bacolod, there was that Facebook post of a photo of an ambulance with medical people wearing hazard suits with a caption: now happening in Bacolod. It had an unmistakable message that it was the shot of medical personnel responding to an infectious case. It was a good thing that an alert netizen pointed out, in the comment thread of the same post that he has seen the same photo used in another post that said it was now happening in Cebu. There are also stories about how one hospital in Bacolod was observing a suspected corona virus case and we can only imagine how that must have worried the people who read it. We can also imagine how the people of that hospital had scrambled to refute the story. We all know the story of how news, even the fake ones, could spread like a thousands feathers released in the air. It is terrifying how people could be so warped-minded as to find fun in acts that terrify or harm others. What sort of sick minds can stir panic, fear and confusion and then enjoy it? Even more terrifying: it appears there are a lot of these minds. And we all thought that the speed with which we can communicate around the world now can was progress. Who could have imagined that an unprecedented development like Facebook which is meant as a platform that broke down the barriers of time and space, where the entire world can talk to each other at the same time could also become a medium with which we can feed one other with lies and untruths? It has been a long time since we proved that FB is both boon and bane and the world has not exactly addressed the bad side. Oh yes, FB has killed a lot of troll farms and suspicious blogs and websites that have spread havoc on the political systems across the world, but it hasn’t exactly been aggressive with the rest of the cyber fronts. In fact, to this day, we continue to suffer from the reality that whoever operates the most effective cyber information networks in the internet are the ones who wield political power. We’ve seen that happen in the Philippines as it has also happened in other countries. But deploying cyber tactics to succeed in politics is different from using the Internet to confuse people in times of a disaster, or outbreaks like the corona virus crisis. Electing the wrong people is entirely different from scaring and confusing. The second one could have devastating effects. The corona virus is nothing to sneeze at, no pun intended. It is a global emergency that has put the world at risk. The deadly virus has been spreading and there appears to have no end yet. The death toll is nearing 200 and there are 7,800 confirmed cases around the world. Slowly cities are being locked down and isolated. Think of how many people these 7,800 cases may have infected already and you get the picture. It is not pretty. It is scary. News that HongKong and Australian scientists have found a cure of the corona infection are sparks of hope but don’t you get a sinking feeling that things will get worse before they can even begin to get better? The real picture is scary enough, too scary in fact that it is not only illegal but criminal to promote falsehoods about it. Don’t even think we are exempt from the ugly possibilities. The confirmed case has been reported to have travelled to nearby Dumaguete a place near enough to us, we practically breathe the same air as the people there do.*
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TASK FORCE VS. nCoV. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (right) with Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran (2nd from right); Dr. Jovy Vergara (2nd from left), assistant city health officer; and Dr. Ma. Luz Ma-apni, head of the City Health Office-Maternal and Child Care convey to the press the city’s actions against the novel coronavirus at the Government Center on Friday afternoon (Jan. 31, 2020). Leonardia formed the inter-agency nCoV task force and designated Familiaran as its chairperson. (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver) BACOLOD CITY -- Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued on Friday an executive order (EO) creating an inter-agency task force against the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
“There is an urgent need to create a task force dedicated to properly address this rapidly emerging health threat,” the mayor said in his EO 2-A. After issuing the directive, Leonardia met with officials of the 61 barangays at the MassKara Hall of the Government Center to discuss the city’s actions regarding the entry of nCoV into the Philippines. He cited reports stating that as of Friday, a total of 9,720 persons in China have been infected with nCoV, and 213 have died. A total of 80 Chinese nationals have tested positive for the virus outside China, including one in the Philippines. Leonardia designated Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran as task force chairperson, with Councilor Cindy Rojas, chair of the City Council committee on health, and Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, city health officer, as vice chairpersons. He ordered the task force to create a standard protocol in dealing with the threat of nCoV and coordinate with the national and local crisis management committees in addressing the epidemic. Leonardia sought collaboration with other government agencies and/or offices, private entities, and non-government organizations in combating the new health menace. “Assess and ensure the preparedness of the city’s public and private hospitals to handle a positive case and to immediately set up isolation measures,” he added. Leonardia also directed the 61 villages, public and private schools, and all business establishments to prepare education and information dissemination campaigns on how to prevent the spread of the virus. He required the task force to update him regularly on its plans and actions. The task force members include Councilors Dindo Ramos and Lady Gles Pallen, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay. They are joined by the heads and representatives of the Bacolod City Police Office, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Quarantine, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, Bureau of Immigration, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Land Transportation Office, and Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental, among others. (PNA) Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran has appealed to the public not to spread false information about the alleged existence of the novel coronavirus in Bacolod City.
This, he said, will only create panic among the people. “We should check and double-check with reliable health authorities if indeed the information is correct,” said Familiaran following reports that a foreign national is confined in a private hospital in the city and that the public is being advised to wear protective masks. The vice mayor said people should verify whatever information they received on social media. (https://bit.ly/2OedoQX) The City Health Office (CHO) under City Health Officer Dr. Carmela Gensoli issues medical updates on the virus, according to him. The CHO monitors possible cases of coronavirus while the Bureau of Quarantine monitors seaports and airports of visitors who may be infected, he added. Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran yesterday appealed to the public not to post anything on social media without confirmation, or spread false information about reports of alleged existence of the Novel Corona Virus (nCoV) in Bacolod City as this will only create panic among the people. “We should check and double checkwith reliable health authorities if indeed the information is correct,” he saidfollowing reports that a foreign national is confined in a private hospital in the city and that the public is being advised to wear protective masks. Familiaran noted that people usually share whatever information they have received on social media so they should this verified first. He said the City Health Office under City Health Officer Dr. Carmela Gensoli issues medical updates on the virus. And so far, Bacolod is negative of nCoV. The CHO monitors possible cases nCoV while it is the Bureau of Quarantine that monitors seaports and airports of visitors who may be infected to prevent the spread of the virus, Familiaran added. The Riverside Medical Inc., operator of the Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, had earlier issued a public advisory warning the public against fake news regarding the spread of nCoV, or the coronavirus, in the hospital, since they currently do not have any patient exhibiting symptoms of the virus. Executive assistant Jose Maria Vargas, cluster head of the Bacolod City Risk Reduction Management Office, said the mayor has created a team that will handle the situation which is composed of the City Health Office, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Department of Health and the Bureau of Quarantine. Department of Health 6 development management officer Ben Arnel de la Cruz also said that Bacolodnons should have no cause for alarm since there are no cases of the coronavirus in Bacolod City.* BACOLOD City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran warned netizens of spreading unverified reports on social media.
This, after some netizens posted and shared on social media that there was allegedly a patient of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Bacolod City. “Don’t post anything without confirmation from the authorities because it creates panic among us. Before we share Facebook post, we should verify it first,” Familiaran said. He said the netizens should stop sharing fake news on social media and should be responsible with their posts. He added that the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas and the City Health Office (CHO) earlier announced that there are no reported cases of 2019-nCoV in Bacolod and there is nothing to be alarmed. Familiaran noted that the CHO and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) along with the Bureau of Quarantine intensified their monitoring specially in the airports and sea ports. Ben Arnel Dela Cruz, development management officer of the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas, earlier said there’s nothing to be alarmed because there is no case of coronavirus in Bacolod City. “But, it’s our advice that we should strengthen our surveillance not only in the airports but also in the barangay level if we have visitors from the mainland China,” he said. Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. The viruses can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Its symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever, which can last for a couple of days. (MAP) BACOLOD City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran warned netizens of spreading unverified reports on social media.
This, after some netizens posted and shared on social media that there was allegedly a patient of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Bacolod City. “Don’t post anything without confirmation from the authorities because it creates panic among us. Before we share Facebook post, we should verify it first,” Familiaran said. He said the netizens should stop sharing fake news on social media and should be responsible with their posts. He added that the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas and the City Health Office (CHO) earlier announced that there are no reported cases of 2019-nCoV in Bacolod and there is nothing to be alarmed. Familiaran noted that the CHO and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) along with the Bureau of Quarantine intensified their monitoring specially in the airports and sea ports. Ben Arnel Dela Cruz, development management officer of the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas, earlier said there’s nothing to be alarmed because there is no case of coronavirus in Bacolod City. “But, it’s our advice that we should strengthen our surveillance not only in the airports but also in the barangay level if we have visitors from the mainland China,” he said. Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. The viruses can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Its symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever, which can last for a couple of days. (MAP) BACOLOD City – Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the City Health Office has begun closely monitoring various ports and transport terminals in the city amid the growing threat of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). According to the city official, close attention is particularly being placed on Bacolod-Silay Airport. “I’ve received information that, [on] some flights, it was noted the 50 percent of passengers are wearing masks, which is good prevention,” he said. In the meantime, Familiaran said the public should not believe unconfirmed information on social media except advisories coming directly from the Department of Health. The vice mayor also appealed for sick individuals not to wait and seek immediate medical attention. He also advised the public to practice proper hygiene as a preventive measure against nCoV. “Don’t panic, if you feel sick immediately consult your doctor,” Familiaran added./PN Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the City Health Office is closely monitoring various ports and transport terminals in Bacolod City amid the threat of the novel coronavirus from China.
Close attention is particularly being placed on Bacolod-Silay Airport, said Familiaran. “I’ve received information that, on some flights, it was noted the 50 percent of passengers are wearing masks, which is good prevention,” he added. (https://bit.ly/319SdFc) The vice mayor, meanwhile, said the public should not believe unconfirmed information on social media except advisories coming directly from the Department of Health. He likewise appealed for sick individuals to seek immediate medical attention and advised everyone to practice proper hygiene as a preventive measure against the virus. Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran yesterday appealed to the public not to post anything on social media without confirmation, or spread false information about reports of alleged existence of the Novel Corona Virus (nCoV) in Bacolod City as this will only create panic among the people. “We should check and double checkwith reliable health authorities if indeed the information is correct,” he saidfollowing reports that a foreign national is confined in a private hospital in the city and that the public is being advised to wear protective masks. Familiaran noted that people usually share whatever information they have received on social media so they should this verified first. He said the City Health Office under City Health Officer Dr. Carmela Gensoli issues medical updates on the virus. And so far, Bacolod is negative of nCoV. The CHO monitors possible cases nCoV while it is the Bureau of Quarantine that monitors seaports and airports of visitors who may be infected to prevent the spread of the virus, Familiaran added. The Riverside Medical Inc., operator of the Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, had earlier issued a public advisory warning the public against fake news regarding the spread of nCoV, or the coronavirus, in the hospital, since they currently do not have any patient exhibiting symptoms of the virus. Executive assistant Jose Maria Vargas, cluster head of the Bacolod City Risk Reduction Management Office, said the mayor has created a team that will handle the situation which is composed of the City Health Office, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Department of Health and the Bureau of Quarantine. Department of Health 6 development management officer Ben Arnel de la Cruz also said that Bacolodnons should have no cause for alarm since there are no cases of the coronavirus in Bacolod City.* BACOLOD City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran warned netizens of spreading unverified reports on social media.
This, after some netizens posted and shared on social media that there was allegedly a patient of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Bacolod City. “Don’t post anything without confirmation from the authorities because it creates panic among us. Before we share Facebook post, we should verify it first,” Familiaran said. He said the netizens should stop sharing fake news on social media and should be responsible with their posts. He added that the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas and the City Health Office (CHO) earlier announced that there are no reported cases of 2019-nCoV in Bacolod and there is nothing to be alarmed. Familiaran noted that the CHO and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) along with the Bureau of Quarantine intensified their monitoring specially in the airports and sea ports. Ben Arnel Dela Cruz, development management officer of the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas, earlier said there’s nothing to be alarmed because there is no case of coronavirus in Bacolod City. “But, it’s our advice that we should strengthen our surveillance not only in the airports but also in the barangay level if we have visitors from the mainland China,” he said. Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. The viruses can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Its symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever, which can last for a couple of days. (MAP) |
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