DOH: Ditch April Fool’s Day jokes, pranks on illnesses

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday urged the public to avoid jokes related to diseases on April Fool’s Day on Monday.

In a statement, DOH said that April Fool’s Day, which is globally held on the first day of April, as a “day when there is an outbreak of pranks or jokes.”

Hence, the health department asked on “would-be pranksters” to avoid jokes related to “illness, disease, and other physical or mental conditions; most especially about the loss of life.”

This is because such jokes, the DOH said, “adds to stigma we want less of.”

 “There can be considerate and wholesome fun,” it added, urging the public to “be kind to each other.”