Sometimes, the misconceptions and misunderstandings about an issue are more serious than the real issue in question and can cause more damage than the issue itself. When it comes to Covid-19, the most pressing issue the world is grappling with at present, accurate, well-worded, and clear communication is of great importance, and it plays a huge role in establishing trust and connection between all parties trying to deal with the pandemic.
How opinions and facts with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic are communicated in Sri Lanka has been questioned many times in the past few months, and this concern is even more prevalent when it comes to determining the actual number of Covid-19 cases and deaths reported daily. Also, on a number of occasions, the overall management of Covid-19 in the country was questioned, as the aforesaid connection based on proper communication had not been developed in a reliable and reassuring manner, which is necessary during a global pandemic.
We are halfway through this week, and in the past two days alone, the country saw two statements that emphasise the importance of responsible communication. One was the maiden television statement made by the newly appointed President’s Spokesperson and veteran television personality Kingsley Rathnayake, where he said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had approved the emergency use of the China-made Sinopharm vaccine in Sri Lanka as a result of an online discussion between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the WHO last week. However, the WHO responding to subsequent media queries from Sri Lanka, including ours, said that the process that led to the said decision was a lengthy one, suggesting that the Presidential Spokesman’s statement was not accurate.
Then yesterday (11), Minister of Energy and Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Udaya Gammanpila said that experts in the field have confirmed that different vaccines could be mixed and matched. However, despite this statement’s reassuring nature, State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle claimed that the health authorities have received no such confirmation, and that at present, Sri Lanka is not conducting any experiment in that connection either.
Statements made without careful consideration of the status quo and accuracy and clarity can not only backfire, they can also lead to long-term ramifications in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in a context where Sri Lanka is looking for more doses of the vaccine. Also, statements that involve the vaccine, which have a great deal to do with Sri Lanka’s international relations concerning the WHO and countries such as India, China, and Russia, may reverse the progress Sri Lanka has achieved and affect future affairs with the said parties as far as the vaccine is concerned.
Both the above-mentioned statements as well as groundless and misdealing statements made before come in a context where the entire citizenry is trying to protect themselves against the Covid-19 pandemic and recover from their disrupted day-to-day lives and economies, and in this context, the pandemic-stricken public tend to believe immediately and without question any reassuring statement made by the rulers and authorities. More than the veracity of these statements, the public tends to look for what is comforting, and what is said to the public, therefore, should be truthful, not beautiful.
These statements also come from two spokesmen who represent two important institutions –the Executive and the Cabinet of Ministers. Ill thought out statements such as these therefore only serve to discredit those institutions, regardless of whether they were approved by those institutions.
The damage one misleading or inaccurate piece of information can do is immense and unpredictable, and that sort of damage has a huge potential to adversely affect the overall fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, and put Sri Lanka’s accountability in a difficult situation both domestically and internationally.
Inaccurate and misleading statements about the country’s Covid-19 management efforts have been made on many occasions, at public rallies, television interviews, and at press briefings. However, the seriousness of the situation is such that making such statements is not a mistake a country like Sri Lanka can afford to make, since at the end of the day, it is the public’s lives that are at stake.
Let us move forward; but let us not forget the good old saying, “think before you speak”.
Think before you speak
12 May 2021
Think before you speak
12 May 2021
Sometimes, the misconceptions and misunderstandings about an issue are more serious than the real issue in question and can cause more damage than the issue itself. When it comes to Covid-19, the most pressing issue the world is grappling with at present, accurate, well-worded, and clear communication is of great importance, and it plays a huge role in establishing trust and connection between all parties trying to deal with the pandemic.
How opinions and facts with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic are communicated in Sri Lanka has been questioned many times in the past few months, and this concern is even more prevalent when it comes to determining the actual number of Covid-19 cases and deaths reported daily. Also, on a number of occasions, the overall management of Covid-19 in the country was questioned, as the aforesaid connection based on proper communication had not been developed in a reliable and reassuring manner, which is necessary during a global pandemic.
We are halfway through this week, and in the past two days alone, the country saw two statements that emphasise the importance of responsible communication. One was the maiden television statement made by the newly appointed President’s Spokesperson and veteran television personality Kingsley Rathnayake, where he said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had approved the emergency use of the China-made Sinopharm vaccine in Sri Lanka as a result of an online discussion between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the WHO last week. However, the WHO responding to subsequent media queries from Sri Lanka, including ours, said that the process that led to the said decision was a lengthy one, suggesting that the Presidential Spokesman’s statement was not accurate.
Then yesterday (11), Minister of Energy and Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Udaya Gammanpila said that experts in the field have confirmed that different vaccines could be mixed and matched. However, despite this statement’s reassuring nature, State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle claimed that the health authorities have received no such confirmation, and that at present, Sri Lanka is not conducting any experiment in that connection either.
Statements made without careful consideration of the status quo and accuracy and clarity can not only backfire, they can also lead to long-term ramifications in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in a context where Sri Lanka is looking for more doses of the vaccine. Also, statements that involve the vaccine, which have a great deal to do with Sri Lanka’s international relations concerning the WHO and countries such as India, China, and Russia, may reverse the progress Sri Lanka has achieved and affect future affairs with the said parties as far as the vaccine is concerned.
Both the above-mentioned statements as well as groundless and misdealing statements made before come in a context where the entire citizenry is trying to protect themselves against the Covid-19 pandemic and recover from their disrupted day-to-day lives and economies, and in this context, the pandemic-stricken public tend to believe immediately and without question any reassuring statement made by the rulers and authorities. More than the veracity of these statements, the public tends to look for what is comforting, and what is said to the public, therefore, should be truthful, not beautiful.
These statements also come from two spokesmen who represent two important institutions –the Executive and the Cabinet of Ministers. Ill thought out statements such as these therefore only serve to discredit those institutions, regardless of whether they were approved by those institutions.
The damage one misleading or inaccurate piece of information can do is immense and unpredictable, and that sort of damage has a huge potential to adversely affect the overall fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, and put Sri Lanka’s accountability in a difficult situation both domestically and internationally.
Inaccurate and misleading statements about the country’s Covid-19 management efforts have been made on many occasions, at public rallies, television interviews, and at press briefings. However, the seriousness of the situation is such that making such statements is not a mistake a country like Sri Lanka can afford to make, since at the end of the day, it is the public’s lives that are at stake.
Let us move forward; but let us not forget the good old saying, “think before you speak”.
Kapruka
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!