The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre is urging the public not to share false information pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic on social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Twitter.
The Western Cape’s Local Government,
Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, says the
only sources of information to rely on and to share are the official sources
with the Presidency taking the lead.
“The ongoing proliferation of fake news via
voicenotes and other means is leading to distress amongst the public and making
our work harder as we try to control the spread of the virus. Please verify the
information you wish to share with your contacts before you pass it along. If
it cannot be verified from an official source, it is in all likelihood fake.”
Bredell says concerns are high ahead of the
weekend that holidaymakers and locals may ignore COVID-19 regulations.
“We must urge compliance. The rules are there
for a reason. The facts are also quite clear: Covid infections are on the
increase and our hospitals are filling up. This is not in dispute. If we want
to have a pleasant and healthy festive season, we need to all be more
responsible.”
Bredell also highlighted alcohol use as a major
concern as we are in the festive season.
“Our emergency rooms and ICUs don’t have room
for alcohol related trauma cases and our medical staff are under enormous
pressure already. We want to ask that people drink responsibly and keep an eye
on the greater events unfolding at present. If you are irresponsible, you are
placing in danger the lives of countless numbers of people who may be infected
or not be able to get treatment.”
Done By: Mitchum George
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