Fake news hampering fight against coronavirus

The battle against coronavirus was escalated recently when Kenya recorded its first death. Although medics tried to save his life, the 66-year-old man, suffering from a pre-existing condition, succumbed to the virus.

With the number of patients rising, it is important now than ever before, that we heed government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. A central part of this is making sure the information we receive is accurate and written by professionals.

Misleading information on how to prevent and even cure the virus surfaced recently on social media. These range from information that is inaccurate, such as overcoming the virus with the help of UV lamps, to downright dangerous ideas, such as drinking chlorine to kill germs.

We saw the tragedy in Iran, where over 200 people died from drinking poisonous alcohol, which online sources claimed could kill coronavirus. Fake news can, indeed, be deadly. Unfortunately, the partial lockdown and stay-at-home order have reduced access to mainstream media.

Because most people stay and work form home, access to credible sources of information from the most trusted hard copy newspapers such as The Standard has been reduced and more and more people search for news on the pandemic on the unregulated social media.

Our livelihoods

We are lucky to have a government that has proven particularly efficient in meeting the challenge now facing Kenya and the world. Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and the Ministry of Health have published extensive guidelines on how citizens can best protect themselves. It is these guidelines that we must adhere to and not information gleaned from questionable and disreputable sources.

Often, the simplest solutions are the most effective. In this case, staying at home is the best way that every one of us can contribute to the national effort to end this pandemic.

This was encouraged by President Uhuru Kenyatta through imposition of a curfew, and is exceptionally important. Staying at home is not easy for anyone. It affects our lives and places great pressure on the poorest and most vulnerable Kenyans.

However, given that we cannot know who is a carrier of the virus, and in an attempt to protect the infirm, the elderly and our children, the curfew was imposed with our best interests at heart.

Kenyans are social people. That is why the government-imposed ban on social gatherings is so tough. However, to make sure that we can still stay connected with the people we care about, Uhuru, working with cellphone providers, has promised to help citizens across the nation access 4G internet.

Austerity measures

The Ministry of Information, Communications, and Telecommunication is also partnering with Google Loon to deploy stratospheric balloons in more remote parts of Kenya. These steps are important not only for social reasons, but also to enable citizens to contact emergency services if need be.

The financial hit that our economy, as well as global financial systems will take will, undoubtedly, be tremendous. Many of us are already feeling the pinch in our pockets. That is why the government has also been imposing austerity measures. These will help ensure that our country can financially meet this challenge.

Leading by example, the presidency took 80 per cent pay cut as Uhuru encouraged government officials to also consider taking a cut. Cabinet Secretaries took 30 per cent pay cut.

Considering the financial implications on individuals and families, 100 per cent tax relief is being accorded to all Kenyans earning less than Sh24,000. Income tax will similarly be reduced by 5 per cent for the rest of us.

Kenya is a diverse nation. We all, however, must band together if we are to overcome tribulations in times of crisis. In the words of American Martin Luther King Jr, “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now”. Let's support one another in this difficult time, and not use it to foster political, religious or cultural divisions.

Now is not the time to question, but to heed. We can rest assured that our leadership has our best interests at heart and is doing its utmost to minimise the fallout from this pandemic. It is not easy for anyone, but in the eternal words of Dr King, “Together, we shall overcome”.

Mr Guleid is the CEO, FCDC Secretariat and former Deputy Governor of Isiolo County