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DESPITE APPEALS FROM health officials for members of the public to get their information from official channels rather than social media, misinformation messages continue to be created and shared.
One message that has been widely shared both online and in WhatsApp groups over the last week specifically targets people who have respiratory conditions.
It advises them to contact their GPs to get a ‘rescue pack’, which it states is a five-day supply of a corticosteroid (steroid) and a five-day supply of an antibiotic which can be started immediately if they develop any breathing issues.
The message advises recipients to share the details as it “could help so many people to know”.
Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the The Asthma Society of Ireland told TheJournal.ie she understands that the social media discussion of rescue packs came from the UK. These packs were reported as a support for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD as part of a national coronavirus response.
“The National Health Service (UK) yesterday released a statement indicating that this information is inaccurate and advising patients to continue managing their condition as usual,” O’Connor said.
They have stipulated that, while ‘rescue packs’ for people with illnesses such as asthma or COPD do exist, they have little to do with coronavirus.
Shee said in Ireland, this combination of medication is given to patients who work very closely with their GPs as part of a closesly-monitored self-management plan.
“They are typically provided to patients with the severest form of asthma or COPD, specifically suitable for patients who are very well versed in managing and understanding their symptoms due to the severity of their condition.
In these circumstances, rescue packs are given with clear and specific instruction and are meant to be used only where symptoms are considerably exacerbated and the patient does not have immediate access to their GP.
She said upon using this medication pack, the patient is obliged to contact their GP within 24 hours to seek further advice and treatment where needed.
O#Connor warned that misuse or overuse of this medication can have a variety of unintended consequences and can involve risks of a serious nature.
“They are not for widespread use by asthma or COPD patients and are not recommended as part of a national healthcare response to coronavirus.”
“Asthma and COPD patients in Ireland should continue to manage their condition as advised by their GP, as reaffirmed in relevant communications made by the HSE in recent weeks,” she added.
There is no evidence that doctors in Ireland are giving out these packs to all asthma or COPD sufferers as a precaution if they develop Covid-19. On the contrary, doctors have advised that such a move would not be safe, given the different needs that each patient would have.
Dr Keith Swanick, a practising GP and former Fianna Fail Senator, told TheJournal.ie that he has received several calls from patients with respiratory conditions about these ‘rescue packs’.
“This blanket prescription idea is not safe basically, it breaks every rule in the book,” he said.
He said it would be “unwise” for GPs to prescribe all asthma or COPD patients with the same package of medication as a just-in-case measure that the patient could then decide to take themselves if they were feeling unwell.
“From my point of view, GPs thankfully know their patients so well and after a quick chat, once we’ve ruled out whether they need a referral for Covid-19, we can use our clinical expertise and the relationship with the patient to decide whether they need a prescription of any kind,” he said.
We have to make a clinical judgement based on their medical history, their risk factors – if they’re smokers, if they have asthma or COPD. Then of course the reason why this would be a bad idea is that patients may be on other drugs that may interact with those ones. Many older patients are on multiple drugs, for heart disease or diabetes for example.
Alasdair Fitzpatrick, a GP registrar working in Fermoy, Co Cork, also contacted TheJournal.ie to express his concern about these messages, which he said his patients had also been speaking to him about.
“It inappropriately advises these people to take the medications early if displaying symptoms,” he said.
“It is definitely doing the rounds here in Cork on social media and we have had a number of consults about it today in the practice. Some of my colleagues in other parts of the county say that they have had similar requests.”
Fitzpatrick said there is some evidence that oral steroids may worsen complications of Covid-19 if given inappropriately.
“Although the evidence relating to steroids and Covid-19 is still only emerging, it is enough that I, and many of my colleagues, have reduced prescription of oral steroids unless we feel they are an absolute necessity,” he said.
“The sooner the message gets out the better and then the less risk of someone suffering avoidable complications.”
The Asthma Society of Ireland has detailed advice on its website, which states the current Covid-19 outbreak does not require any change to what is normal good asthma management.
It also states that there is no need for patients to order extra quantities of medications.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has advised all people looking for information on Covid-19 to follow public health guidelines as outlined on the HSE website.
Health officials have repeatedly asked members of the public to get their information about the coronavirus either from the HSE/Department of Health or from trusted news sources.
Anyone with symptoms of the coronavirus is advised to contact their GP (by phone) to discuss the need for testing and treatment. The symptoms can be similar to a cold or flu and anyone with these symptoms is advised to self-isolate for 14 days.
You will only be tested if you have a fever or chills and one of the following symptoms:
Healthcare workers, vulnerable groups and people in contact with confirmed cases who are exhibiting symptoms will be prioritised.
****
There is a lot of false news and scaremongering being spread in Ireland at the moment about coronavirus. Here are some practical ways for you to assess whether the messages that you’re seeing – especially on WhatsApp – are true or not.
STOP, THINK AND CHECK
Look at where it’s coming from. Is it someone you know? Do they have a source for the information (e.g. the HSE website) or are they just saying that the information comes from someone they know? A lot of the false news being spread right now is from people claiming that messages from ‘a friend’ of theirs. Have a look yourself – do a quick Google search and see if the information is being reported elsewhere.
Secondly, get the whole story, not just a headline. A lot of these messages have got vague information (“all the doctors at this hospital are panicking”) and don’t mention specific details. This is often – but not always a sign – that it may not be accurate.
Finally, see how you feel after reading it. A lot of these false messages are designed to make people feel panicked. They’re deliberately manipulating your feelings to make you more likely to share it. If you feel panicked after reading something, check it out and see if it really is true.
TheJournal.ie’s FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader’s Guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here
Have you gotten a message on WhatsApp or Facebook or Twitter about coronavirus that you’re not sure about and want us to check it out? Message or mail us and we’ll look into debunking it. WhatsApp: 085 221 4696 or Email: answers@thejournal.ie
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An absolute hero who gave everything and never thought of himself.
RIP, he was genuinely one of the good ones, saw through the religious divide and saw the good in everyone.
I had the honour of meeting Fr. Reid while he was at a seminary in San Sebastian in the Basque Country. The Basque people loved and admired him too. He was an inspiration and set an example for conflict resolution in that region also. Rest In Peace.
May he rest in peace. How many lives were saved because of this man’s actions? A real hero in the modern age.
Heard him described on the radio as “a fully paid up member of the human race”…cant add to that..RIP.
terrible news, he was a good man who done his best for the people in the North
He used to pop in to Comans in Rathgar to watch the football games, he never said who he was, nor I never asked him, as the match went on, he’d close his eyes for 40 winks, he never failed to say hello whilst out walking, but that wasn’t me, that was for everyone
What a contribution this man made towards the well being and safety of all of his fellow human beings on this tiny Island of ours.
Gosh, if in my lifetime I could do but a thimble full of the goodness which this man did, I would count my life as having been well worth while.
If ever there was a life worth celebrating and commemorating it would have to be the life of Alec Reid. Perhaps a scholarship in peace studies or some such educational endevour should now be considered in his honour of his memory.
We must never be allowed to forget the great good this man did in his lifetime.
The future of peace within the human family on the entire plot of land called Ireland will likely depend on it.
May you rest in peace Alec and may the good you did live on and be known to our children and our children’s children.
Nice to see a positive story about priests in news. They get a lot bad press over last few yrs,well done FR.
I believe that it was Father Alec Reid who was more instrumental than Bertie Ahern in initiating and mataining the momentum of the peace process.
Sadly, many prefer to ascribe the credit to Bertie but Bertie was not the sole mover in the peace process.
Father Red exercised personal courage, miral integrity and enormous skill in what he achieved. Many, many lives were saved as a result.
Atheist myself, but ‘God’ bless the peacemakers, of which this fine old gent was one.
If only more had the balls to act half of what he was. History will remember him to be the true architect of the good Friday agreement not the political fools that did kicking and screaming.
a sad day indeed
This priest went beyond the call of Duty. He was able to bring both sides together to try and sort out issues. That was no mean achievement. I heard an interview today on the radio it was said that he had a special gift of getting people together no matter what persuasion they were from. So I think Fr. Reid R.I.P. Deserves all the Great tributes that are being paid to him today.
Fr. Alec Reid, thank you for your unique approach that has transformed peace to this land.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
“May his soul be on God’s right side”
He never sought attention for himself but without him the Peace Process would never have come to anything.
A true Christian in that while he always condemed the sin he loved the sinner, irrespective of who he was & the photo of him praying over the dead soldier, one of the most iconic photos of the 20th century, was truly what Christ would have done in the same circumstances.
May he rest in peace.
We lost a good man today.
Goodnight Father.
We were blessed to have this man in our Country. I heard him described today on de radio as a reluctant hero, so true. Rip
is it not interesting that we are celebrating and remembering this mans great leadership and accomplishments on the day that he dies, 50 years to the day that another leader was cut down before he could show his qualities ….
A rarity in the clergy. He was a good man
What he did was to sit on the fence. By failing to condemn he indirectly supported the murder of the innocent.
Aaaaand here we go. You and your ilk bugger off you’ve no place here. He was a great, selfless and noble man. End of.
D**khead
Yeah just like your Idol and hero the great Rev Ian Paisley who did so much to try end Sectarian violence between two tribes. One majority tribe trying to keep the other in the gutter and trying to cling to power. But your days are up Kido
Imagine being you. I’d say it is terrible.
He condemned violence on all sides, his words and more so his actions proved that. Well done good and faithful servant. May he rest in peace.
Parm can’t be bothered to write your name properly (anyone betting on the cheap return shot) you are a complete and utter ignorant Sprat ( take away the s)
His years of work for peace in Northern Ireland, will always be remembered.
RIP to a truly great man.
There have been hundreds of comments on British Ex-Services sites thanking Father Reid for his actions and wishing RIP.
Saturday around 8pm over 500 on the Royal Signals site, both soldiers wereSignals.
Father Reid carried out his duty as a Priest in an exemplary fashion.
I also believe the actions of people present at the incident showed the respect he was held in
RIP
A great man of peace. ~~I’m surprised he didn’t join the “disappeared” for praying over the two murdered soldiers. people had been killed for much less!
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