THE suspicion that Department of Health (DOH) 7 officials were not very transparent in the handling of and providing the public information about the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has enough basis. Our health authorities were withholding information about the real condition of Covid-19 like how it has rapidly spread in our locality and in the country in general. I don’t know what their intention was. Were they withholding vital information to avoid panic or to cover up their ineptness in handling the situation?
Had local health authorities provided much clearer information to the public, our local leaders and policy decision-makers could have mapped out plans on how to contain the spread of the disease in our locality. But it seems that our DOH 7 officials were withholding some information about the real situation as to the degree of the disease’s spread here.
Why it is only now that DOH 7 Director Jaime Bernadas is using the term “presumptive positive”? Why did he not use the term a long time ago when there were already patients found positive in initial tests conducted at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center?
“Presumptive” means “presume in the absence of further information.” So “presumptive positive” means the result is positive at the local tests but still subject for a confirmatory test at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa.
The DOH should have, in good faith, informed the public about the results of the initial tests as an advisory or to forewarn the public. So that the public could have avoided the places where there were residents found positive in the initial test. With the DOH witholding the information, people were practically blind to the real situation. And that’s where speculations come into play.
Poor communication can cause confusion and breed fear and misinformation, both of which tend to exacerbate a crisis. Once you have the facts, it is important to deliver these responsibly and effectively.
Why did the DOH refuse to divulge the real situation? Because they don’t want to create panic and anxiety among the public? Anxiety can also cause the opposite reaction. Denial or refusing to believe that the situation is serious. Denial is unhelpful. When people deny the severity of a situation to avoid panic and anxiety, they may do nothing, even ignore recommendations from health authorities.
That is why Cebu City Councilor Niña Mabatid pushed the “button” or “jumped the gun” to alarm health authorities and trigger public awareness. Now, she is being “crucified” for her actions, accused of being an “alarmist” and a purveyor of fake news. Poor Niña. But at least, for now, DOH officials have opened their eyes.