Misinformation a threat to fight against Covid-19

Misinformation is affecting fight against the Covid-19 pandemic [Photo|Courtesy]

Across Africa at least 32 per cent of the population do not have enough information about Coronavirus including how it spreads and how to protect themselves.

According to a joint report released by Partnership for Evidence Based Response to Covid-19 (PERC) that cuts across 20 AU member states, 62 per cent of the population believe that Covid-19 will have a major impact on their country but only 44 per cent believe it is a threat to them personally.

Many AU member states have critical gaps in epidemic preparedness including a limited health workforce and little capacity for providing critical care that makes them vulnerable to negative social, economic and health impacts of the pandemic.

Misconception is still a big threat to the African continent. At least 58.2 per cent still believe that Covid-19 can be prevented by drinking lemon and Vitamin C, 55.8 per cent think that people who have recovered from Covid-19 should be avoided to prevent spreading it, 53.6 per cent believe that hot climate prevents spread of the virus while 36.4 per cent still hold on to the belief that Covid-19 is a germ weapon created by a government.

World Health Organization had dismissed the notion that Africans cannot get Covid-19 but still at least 20 per cent of the African population hold on to the belief that the virus is for non-Africans while 11.8 per cent believe drinking bleach cures the virus.

“This report highlights the large information gaps on Covid-19 which exist in Africa and threaten response efforts,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

“The findings of this report, along with Covid-19 trend data, will help countries make strategic decisions on relaxing their lockdowns. What we’ve learnt from Ebola and other outbreaks is that countries need to decentralize the response to the community level and increase their capacity to identify and diagnose cases,” adds Dr. Moeti.

Normalcy is slowly returning in Kenya despite the strict measures in place like dusk to dawn curfew and partial lockdown in specific counties.

As per the survey, in Kenya hunger in urban centers is forcing citizens to violate stay-at-home orders to search for food.

On average, survey respondents estimated they would run out of money in 12 days and food in 10 days. The lowest-income households expected to run out of food and money in less than a week.

The committee now recommends that the governments should strengthen public health systems for immediate response and for a lasting recovery and monitor data on how public health and social measures meet local Covid-19 conditions and needs.

“Governments cannot rely on guesswork or instinct to combat Covid-19 – they need data, many preventive measures taken elsewhere in the world must be adapted to the local context,” said Dr. Darrell Bricker, CEO, Ipsos Public Affairs.“

“By using data, governments can find the right balance and adapt lifesaving policies to the local context,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives.

The Kenyan government has now loosened measures on hotel operation but other measures are still in place even as new infection cases rise in daily.