Misinformation of coronavirus “insult to medical staff” and death

Rebecca Black, Press Association

December 22, 2020 11:08

Disseminating false information around the pandemic is an insult to health care workers and those who have died, said the Chief Medical Officer.

Dr. Michael McBride emphasized the importance of the message regarding Covid-19, adding that false information can undermine public confidence.

In an interview with PA news agency, Dr. McBride said he had to fight self-proclaimed experts on social media, false stories, and unfounded conspiracy theories, as well as controlling the virus.

Prior to the new blockade that was set to apply from Boxing Day, Dr. McBride urged the public to gather, as he did in the spring.

“I think this was the first pandemic we tried to address the era of social media and it was part of the challenge,” he said.

“More than ever, people who take advantage of disinformation, false information, what portrays themselves as an expert, and the benefits of hindsight, say,” You should have done this. ” After the event, it’s easy if you know all the features of. The virus you are dealing with.

“I think that can undermine public trust.

“You manage Covid and your reaction to it, but you’re trying to stop false stories and unfounded conspiracy theories from gaining momentum.

“Unfortunately, some people spread the dangerous truth and encourage others to ignore important public health advice.

“I know some malicious and harmful claims. Frankly, these false stories are all our diligent and devoted in the fight against Covid-19. It’s an insult to medical and social care workers, and too many people who have already died.

“It’s time for someone who should know better to become smarter, grow up, and catch up with themselves.”

Dr. McBride said he was aware of and sympathized with the effects of social distance.

“The measures that the administration had to take saved lives. There is no doubt that if these measures were not taken, the death toll and the number of people who colluded would have been quite high,” he said. Said.

“But these measures themselves are doing serious harm to many people. We have the results in the medium to long term in terms of mental health and well-being, damage to people’s employment and life opportunities. I will deal with it.

“There was no easy choice and no correct answer. A series of difficult choices all had bad results.”

He has now urged the public to “dig deeper”.

“To ensure that our healthcare services aren’t overwhelmed by what I think, we’ll dig deeper collectively to ensure that we’ll save lives by putting this virus under control during the next time limit. It needs the same feeling. It will be the most difficult task ever. “

Dr. McBride, like everyone else, has made the sacrifice of not meeting his brothers and sisters in person since last year and not taking his home-in-law home for Christmas dinner for the first time in 30 years. He said he was.

“I’m like everyone else. Life events come and go, important birthdays go by without a birthday party, but regular celebrations aren’t possible at this time,” he said.

“My experience is insignificant when I hear the tragic story of an individual who had to say goodbye to a loved one on a zoom call.”

Looking back on the year, he remembered how unrealistic the confirmation of the first case was.

When the first incident was confirmed, he was attending a meeting with Health Minister Robin Swan in Glasgow, who hurried back to Belfast for a press conference.

“We exercise for such an event, and there was most of me who wanted someone to say it was exercise or false alarm-there is that aspect of wishful thinking. I did, “he said.

“The impact was enormous, but no one thought of deploying the vaccine a year later. This is the beginning of the journey out of this pandemic, at least at this stage.

“The virus will not go away and will be with us. I am absolutely confident, but at least from late spring to summer it will be more normal and hopefully some possible You can expect sex. You can gradually relax the restrictions. “