MANILA, Philippines — As the number of COVID-19 cases swells in the country, the spread of disinformation about the disease seemed to be escalating, too, and the public has been forewarned: Beware of fake news.
Conspiracy theories and misleading information about the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and 2019 coronavirus disease have swamped social media, defying government appeals for calm since the false reports install fear and panic to the public.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) has so far reported 49 confirmed cases of COVID-19, a respiratory disease that has infected 110,000 people worldwide and killed at least 3,000, a vast majority of which came from the Chinese province of Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak.
Here are some of the deceitful information people should stop spreading:
No DOH order to stock ready-to-eat-food
DOH — the agency at the forefront of battling the disease — is likewise waging a war against disinformation.
The health department debunked a fake advisory circulating on Facebook, claiming that it is urging people to stock ready-to-eat food due to the alleged imminent lockdown of Metro Manila because of COVID-19 transmission.
It then urged the public to verify information through official DOH channels stated below:
DOH Website: https://www.doh.gov.ph/
Official Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov/
Official Twitter account: https://twitter.com/DOHgovph
No community lockdown yet
The Department of Interior and Local Government also clarified that there’s no lockdown order on Metro Manila and any other COVID-19-hit areas yet.
In a recent interview, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año explained that they have not seen any pressing reason yet to merit a community lockdown despite dangers posed by COVID-19.
President Rodrigo Duterte and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III agreed that a lockdown of the National Capital Region (NCR) is still “premature” at this point.
No order to avoid certain malls, hotels
DOH also flagged as “fake news” a message circulating on social media advising the public to avoid certain malls, hotels, and establishments. The message claims that confirmed coronavirus patients have wandered around some of the popular malls and establishments across NCR.
DOH is only disclosing the age, gender, and residence of COVID-19 patients, as well as the hospitals where they are admitted.
No paid mandatory leave for Cebu workers; no school closure
A report attributed to GMA News claimed that Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia has mandated companies in her jurisdiction to grant their personnel “paid mandatory leave” due to the coronavirus threat. It likewise claimed that all schools in Cebu have been ordered close for two weeks.
However, veteran GMA reporter Raffy Tima said the report is yet another “manipulated image” circulating in chat groups especially in Cebu.
“This is not true. If the news is big, shocking or controversial, expect it to be carried by many news organizations,” Tima wrote.
“A quick google search is all it takes to spot fake information. “
Again, no lockdown order yet
Another chain message saying that establishments have started preparing for a Metro Manila lockdown stirred a buzz on social media. The warning of a possible 15-day to 1-month lockdown supposedly came from an ABS-CBN worker.
But the media giant said that there is no truth in the message.
“Huwag na pong ikalat ang ganitong mensahe na hindi nakakatulong sa publiko,” ABS-CBN said.
The first cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, were reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.
To prevent infection, authorities are urging people to practice regular hand washing, cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those who show respiratory symptoms.