Young: ‘People already traumatised’

NATIONAL Security Minister Stuart Young slammed the continued use of social media to unnecessarily traumatise people affected by last weekend’s flooding. At the opening of the American Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Health Safety Security and Environment conference and exhibition at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain yesterday, Young said, “People are already suffering enough trauma. The effects of that especially in crisis are tremendous.”

Young added, “I am still seeing up to this morning the suggestion that Government is covering up a number of deaths coming out of the recent flooding.” He said this was an example of how technology can be used negatively during times of crisis. Young said when anyone goes on the ground as he has, they will understand how these kinds of “reality distortions” can inflict more trauma on people affected by the flooding.

Observing these distortions are bombarding mainstream media, Young said people “need to reject some of the social media outlets that are pushing information.” Young said the flooding “has brought home” the need for greater and better use of technology to deal with these types of situations. He said logistics and planning for relief and recovery operations has been “tremendous.”

Young added that even with the lack of proper technology in some cases, the various agencies and personnel dealing with relief efforts “so far have done a tremendous job.” He reiterated, “We have no loss of life at this stage.” Young thanked the members of the private sector who have helped and are continuing to help in ongoing relief efforts.