[UPDATED] DON’T PANIC

DON’T panic, it won’t do yourself or the nation any good.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh belaboured this point at a press conference on Wednesday where he also urged citizens to refrain from panic buying N95 face masks as this could do more harm than good. He also took sections of the media to task, in particular, the Trinidad Guardian, for sensationalist headlines regarding the virus.

He said members of the public have been buying the masks since covid19 caused a major scare globally. So far, there have been no cases detected in TT, Deyalsingh said.

Speaking at the ministry’s head office in Port of Spain, Deyalsingh said the masks should only be used by trained professionals. He added that buying out the N95 masks would create a shortage in the product for the private sector if a need arose for it.

“There are articles showing people rushing to buy N95 face masks (this) creates a shortage and then the doctors and nurses in the private sector can’t get because a panic has been created, and an artificial shortage has been created, and the people who are buying them don’t know how to use it. That is what this does.

“Wearing a mask by the average Trini is of absolutely no use. As a matter of fact, it is more dangerous because the average person who does not put on a mask, or who puts on an ill-fitting mask is going to be, every two seconds, adjusting and then you are touching your face. Leave those masks for the doctors and nurses in the private sector. They need it more than you. Their protection is more important right now because they know how to use it.”

BE RESPONSIBLE

He then took the media to task asking that they be more responsible in reporting. “This period of preparation of covid19 is not a time for fear and panic, rather it is an opportunity for collective responsiveness and cooperation between state health and national security agencies from the Commonwealth.”

Referring to a Canadian national who was tested for the virus at Port of Spain General Hospital, after experiencing flu-like symptoms, Deyalsingh said the results came back negative.

“The Canadian with flu-like symptoms, yes, this is the flu season. We have people in our hospitals with flu-like symptoms every single day. The Guardian headline caused untold panic at the hospital because the unsuspecting would read it and think there is a case of covid19 at the hospital,” Deyalsingh said as he held up a copy of the Wednesday edition of the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.

“I am imploring the media to be responsible. The Canadian tested negative, but the damage has been done. People don’t see this, they see the headline and that is where the distrust of the government comes in, that we are hiding information,” he said as he looked at the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.

The minister said citizens did not have to stock up on fancy disinfectants, but just wipe down surfaces with soap and water, wash your hands with soap and water and don’t touch their faces.

“If we can get through March with the least number of cases there is this theory that by April/May, the virus is going to burn itself out. If we can get through March, let March be the month of social responsibility. Let March be that month where TT collectively, Government, media, man in the street, health care professionals, unions, opposition, say we are going to stand together as one people and face down covid19,” he said.

This story was originally published with the title "Do not panic buy N95 masks" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is again urging citizens to refrain from panic buying face masks as it could do more harm than good. Members of the public have been buying the N95 masks since covid19 has caused a major scare globally. So far, there have been no cases detected in TT. The Canadian national who was tested for covid19 at Port of Spain General Hospital and has been cleared as the test came back negative.

Deyalsingh said the masks should only be used by trained professionals as improper use could spread whatever diseases were floating around. He said putting on the mask incorrectly would lead to people touching their faces more, thereby running the risk of spreading the virus.

He added that buying out the N95 masks would create a shortage in the product for the private sector if a need did arise for it.