Govt order about not ‘sharing Covid-19 details’ creates panic
Don’t share Covid-19 related info with media: Govt tells health institutions; what is government trying to hide, questions citizenry
Srinagar: The government order issued on Wednesday to all related institutions from sharing details on Covid-19 related testing in Jammu and Kashmir has created panic among some sections of the populace who think that administration is trying to hide the real situation on the ground.
“It has been observed that all the institutions at their own are giving official statements to the press/electronic media separately regarding the COVID Lab testing conducted in their respective institutions, as a result, there is every likelihood of confusion on the exact number of total lab tests being carried out, in all the labs of the UT,” the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo said in a order issued today.
“The assignment of press briefing has been given to the Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K, who after compilation of the reports of all the labs, briefs the media about the daily activities related to COVID including tab testing,” said the order.
The letter, conveying the order, has been addressed to Director SKIMS Soura, Principal Govt. Medical College Jammu/ Srinagar, Principal SKIMS Bemina and Director Health Services Kashmir/Jammu.
The order, as soon as it became public, has created panic among the people who think that the administration doesn’t want locals to know about the prevailing grim situation.
“What are you trying to hide? Your official spokesman issues a bulletin every evening about those tested positive and also regarding Covid-19 deaths. People have every right to know the real situation,” said a doctor, who thinks that administration is intending to downplay the spread of deadly virus.
“Don’t downplay, let people know so that they understand the gravity of the situation and help stop the spread of Covid-19,” said another doctor, of course on the condition that he should not be named.
“If the health institutions and the officials don’t come up with daily figures, it will result into rumour mongering. And the rumour mongering is going to create panic all over,” said a senior journalist.
He suggested that let the authorities brief the media about the number of positive cases and related deaths every evening so that people know where they stand in fight against Covid-19.
