Doctors allocated their accounts on social media, "Facebook", "Twitter" and "Instagram" since the emergence of the "Covid-19" virus, to spread awareness and refute rumors and misinformation about the pandemic, after they monitored the spread of fabricated news and rumors seeking to broadcast Fear and panic in the soul, after the crisis caused a state of anxiety, led many to cling to any information, though it is not correct.
Doctors transferred their accounts on social media, to analyze infection rates and the indicator of the decline of the virus in the country, and the frequency of awareness that should be taken with the return of economic activity and reduce the time of movement restrictions.
Some of them also created channels on YouTube to raise awareness and respond to medical inquiries regarding their specialties, especially that many families are afraid to go to the hospital, as long as it is not an emergency.
In detail, the «Emirates Today» monitored the efforts made by doctors to fight health rumors, as they turned their accounts on social media sites into smart clinics and awareness-raising platforms to the precautionary measures that must be followed to prevent the spread of “Covid-19”, in addition to fighting rumors related to the virus, in light of its spread and cause In a state of fear and anxiety among members of society, doctors ’publications have been developed according to the virus prevalence index so that their advice is aligned with the situation on the ground and in line with official decisions.
The most prominent rumors refuted by doctors included that the gags cause low oxygen in the blood and brain and poisoning with carbon dioxide, which leads to high blood pressure and loss of consciousness, as well as psychological, social and environmental damage, and a common «(Corona) is a created virus used by some countries as a weapon against The rest of the world », as evidenced by the spread of demonstrations in some foreign countries without any account or fears of the spread of the virus, in addition to videos promoting aspirin as a treatment for« corona ».
A pediatric digestive specialist, in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, and one of the medical care officials for isolation patients, Dr. Nafie Al Yasi, stressed through his accounts on the social networking sites "Instagram" and "Twitter", the importance of using social media platforms to raise awareness and monitor any rumors and refute them. In addition to producing awareness videos about virus developments.
Al-Yassi told «Emirates Today» that his personal accounts allow him to communicate with a larger number of people, therefore he uses his spare time to broadcast reassurance messages to his followers, and re-publish the information issued by health authorities to emphasize the importance of resorting to reliable sources when taking basic instructions, which Rumors refute, as well as the publication of accurate information about the disease, which falls within the scope of his scientific specialization.
He said: "I receive questions that do not fall within the framework of my medical specialization, so I apologize for not answering, especially since the information was not documented, so it is better not to publish it," noting that "Social Media is a widespread means of communication, which should be used instead of letting it turn into an instrument." To spread rumors and false information that negatively affects society. ”
“Fighting the spread of false news and misleading information in the new media is no less important than fighting the virus in hospitals, where rumors play a big role in spreading the disease, whether by raising panic and confusion, or raising expectations and encouraging individuals to return to practice,” said the emergency doctor, Muhammad al-Balushi. Their lives are the same as they were before the appearance of the Coruna virus, and the lack of adherence to the precautionary measures to be followed.
He added that «rumors have two aspects, the first is fear and dismay, and the second is recklessness and underestimation, both of which are more severe than the virus itself, so doctors seek to exploit the state of societal trust that they have to spread awareness, based on facts and information issued by the competent authorities, and reliable research organizations With it, ”noting that“ the accounts of the majority of doctors have been transformed since the emergence of the Corona virus into educational platforms, especially since they receive dozens of questions daily from followers, and the response to them constitutes a daily awareness bulletin. ”
The gynecologist, Mai Mohamed, said: “My duty as a doctor is to fight and deny rumors and provide reliable information and advice, issued by official authorities. There is currently no better way than social media to communicate with the largest number of individuals, especially since any doctor’s account is on the social media. Media has thousands of followers, which helps it spread the right information and dispel rumors.
She added: “The spread of the Corona pandemic in the world contributed to the emergence of rumors on social networking sites about the virus, the causes of infection and methods of treatment, some of which are referred to as global studies or statements by scientists and officials, so the social responsibility of doctors includes refuting the rumors and confirming the news that needs Confirmation, to deliver reliable information to followers. ”
She pointed out that the spreading false information is not all negative, but there is information in its apparent form positive, and its seriousness may exceed the negative rumors, including for example the talk about the spread of the virus and the disappearance of its danger, which encourages community members in the event that this rumor is not faced with abandoning precautionary measures And it threatens the return of the virus further after the success of the country through its advanced health system and the efforts of the first line of defense in controlling and controlling the virus.
The pediatrician, Dr. Hala Habib, said that doctors should communicate with members of society to explain the reality of the disease and methods of prevention, especially at this sensitive time, noting that social media has become the most prevalent medium among society groups, and thus facilitates communication with the public.
The most prominent rumors:
■ Gags reduce the level of oxygen in the blood and cause carbon dioxide poisoning.
Corona is a moral virus used by countries as a weapon against the countries of the world.
Aspirin pills are able to treat Corona and eliminate the virus altogether.
Punishment for spreading rumors
The legal advisor, Salem Saeed Al-Haiqi, stressed that the doctors ’efforts to raise awareness and refute rumors on social media are no less important than fighting the virus in hospitals, especially after the rumors and fabricated and false news witnessed great popularity since the beginning of the Corona pandemic, warning against the drifting of some and participation without Awareness of spreading rumors, and dealing with them as Muslim facts, pointing out that the Emirati legislator has tightened the penalty for spreading rumors, as the Federal Penal Code stipulated that he shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of no less than a year, whoever deliberately broadcasts false news, statements, or rumors.
Whoever possesses in particular, through mediation, or has obtained documents, publications, or records of any kind, including news, data, or false rumors if they are intended for distribution or to inform others of them, shall be punished by the punishment.
Al-Hayqi pointed out that the spread of rumors through social media, prompted the Emirati legislator to tighten the penalty in the law of combating information technology crimes, as he stipulated that "he shall be punished with temporary imprisonment and a fine that does not exceed one million dirhams, whoever publishes information, news, data or rumors on a site An electronic or any information network or technical means, with the intention of ridicule, or to damage the reputation, prestige, or standing of the state, or any of its institutions ».