Facebook has launched a campaign in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to combat misinformation and fake news regarding Covid-19 and vaccine updates in Africa. This campaign aims to remove false vaccine claims, decrease the circulation of inaccurate health information and inform people about effective vaccine delivery.
The campaign called, ‘Together Against Covid-19 Misinformation’ is set to be launched across Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d’Ivoire. The default language on this campaign will be French and English.
Public Policy Manager, Aïda Ndiaye stated that ensuring Facebook users receive authoritative information about the Covid-19 vaccine with the help of industry experts and Facebook users are important to tackle misinformation. She further comments on the campaign gives users “additional resources to scrutinize content they see online, helping them decide what to read trust and share.”
This campaign will show up on Facebook through a series of graphics with tips on how to identify false news/ misinformation:
Check The Source: Scrutinise content, even if it appears science-based
Check How It Makes You Feel: False news can manipulate feelings for clicks
Check The Context: Look to public health authorities to confirm content
A dedicated website will be launched as part of the website as part of the campaign. This website includes information on how Facebook is combating misinformation, transparency on their ‘Remove, Reduce and Inform strategy.’, their outlined community standards and steps they are taking to tackle false news around global events.
https://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/facebook-2.jpg415640Sisipho Ntsabohttps://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/relocationafricagroup.jpgSisipho Ntsabo2021-04-08 15:09:422023-02-21 12:06:25Facebook in Partnership with WHO Launches Campaign to Tackle Fake Covid-19 and Vaccine News
South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize will be joined by the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Tedros Ghebreyesus in welcoming the organisation’s first member who will be helping South Africa with its fight against COVID-19.
A team of more than 40 international health experts assembled by the WHO are due to start working in south Africa soon where they’ll be guiding government and professionals through the pandemic.
South Africa is ranked fifth on the international list of countries with the highest coronavirus infection rates. South Africa has about 70,000 more confirmed COVID-19 cases than Mexico or Peru -whose infection rates continue to climb.
Last month, when Minister Mkhize made the announcement, he promised that this team of experts assembled by the world health organization would add tremendous value to support South Africa. Although the daily new infection rate has slowed down in large provinces like Gauteng, the Western Cape, and Eastern Cape, there are concerns about a second wave.
Chairperson of the ministerial advisory committee on COVID-19, Professor Salim Abdool Karim has warned this pandemic is one of many more that could plague the world and now is a time to come up with international modules to stop future viruses. “We can’t say this was a complete surprise. We just didn’t know when and how severe. This is not the last, we as a global community has to have the global mechanism to stand together to make sure we are better prepared next time.”
Those who have already touched down here in South Africa arrived a few days ago for quarantine purposes and will now be officially welcomed during an online ceremony.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
https://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/web_photo_mkhize_060820.jpg13722048Andrew Stegmannhttps://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/relocationafricagroup.jpgAndrew Stegmann2020-08-21 10:31:042023-02-21 11:55:39South Africa to Welcome First WHO Member to Help in Fight Against COVID-19
President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about COVID-19 in South Africa last night, and has declared a national state of disaster.
“Initially, it was people who had traveled out of the country, especially from Italy, who had positively tested for the virus. It is concerning that we are now dealing with internal transmission of the virus,” the president said.
Ramaphosa was addressing the country from the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday after a special Cabinet meeting to discuss matters related to the pandemic.
“We have now declared a national state of disaster. We will set up emergency and rapid response systems,” Ramaphosa said.
The following measures will be in place amongst others:
Limited contact with persons who may be infected.
Travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries such as Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and China as from 18 March 2020.
Visas from those countries cancelled from today and previously granted visas are now revoked.
South Africans returning from high-risk countries will be subjected to testing and self-quarantine.
Travellers from medium-risk countries – such as Portugal, Hong Kong and Singapore – will be required to undergo high intensity screening.
Gatherings of more than 100 people are now prohibited.
Schools will be closed from Wednesday until after the Easter weekend.
Visits to all correctional facilities cancelled for the next 30 days.
All non-essential travel for all spheres of government outside of the country is prohibited.
We further discourage all non-essential domestic travel, particularly by air, rail, taxis and bus.
Strengthened surveillance, screening and testing measures at OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka International Airports
35 of the 53 land entry points will be closed and 2 out of the 8 sea ports.
Ramaphosa says a national command council has been established that will be meeting three times a week.
He called on everyone to change their behavior including washing their hands frequently and using hand sanitizers, covering the nose and mouth when sneezing, avoiding contact with people with flu-like symptoms and minimizing physical contact.
“We must encourage the elbow greeting,” the president said.
Ramaphosa says the government will be partnering with the private sector to set up a national tracking and monitoring system for all coronavirus cases.
Cabinet is also finalising a fiscal package to help deal with the outbreak, the president said.
To read the President’s full speech, click here. The recorded address can be viewed below.
Relocation Africa
At Relocation Africa, we are taking every effort to ensure the continued safety of our staff and our clients. We are monitoring the situation daily, and will react accordingly. We are committed to following the guidelines as set out by the World Health Organization, as well as the South African Department of Health, and the broader government. We will update our clients and business partners if we make relevant changes to our operations, as necessary.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240. Sources: [1], [2], [3]. Image sources: [1], [2].
As COVID-19 spreads across the world, and concerns grow, we’ve decided to provide an update from an African perspective.
South Africans repatriated from Wuhan
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday hailed the South African team travelling to Wuhan, China, on a repatriation mission, as heroes who carry the pride and hope of the nation. The team comprising members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and a medical team from the Department of Health left for Wuhan, the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak, from OR Tambo International Airport, last night.
“This is an important mission for the country. We are so proud of your commitment. We thank you for doing it for the country. I want you to go out there knowing that you are carrying the whole country,” President Ramaphosa said. He told the excited team that they are not going alone, but they are traveling with God. President Ramaphosa used the opportunity to allay the fears of South Africans, saying that the people that the team is going to repatriate, are not sick.
“This team is going to fetch people who are well. We will keep screening them to check if we cannot find someone who got an infection, if there are, we will take them out for treatment,” President Ramaphosa said. Prior to bidding farewell to the team, President Ramaphosa, accompanied by Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize and Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, conducted a walkabout at the OR Tambo International Airport.
The walkabout showed the President the state of readiness at the airport in case of any arrivals from Coronavirus countries. The President was also shown a clinic at the airport were patients are treated. Government initially received more than 180 requests from South Africans in Wuhan to be repatriated to South Africa, but more than 60 of them subsequently changed their minds and decided to remain in China.
Government will now repatriate 122 South Africans from the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China. Minister Mkhize also emphasized that none of the South Africans in China have Coronavirus but said they will still be quarantined and tested as part of health requirements when they arrive back home from Wuhan. Mkhize thanked the team for their willingness to assist in the repatriation. “I would like to thank you for assisting in the repatriation. You are doing this for the country,” he said.
A member of the team, a medical doctor from the Department of Health, Dr Ahmed Bam, told SAnews that he is proud to be taking part on this important mission. “I’m very honored to be given the opportunity to serve the people of my country,” he said. Asked if he is not afraid of contracting the virus, he confidently said that will not happen as they are well prepared and taking all the precautionary measures into account.
“My duty is to save lives and that’s exactly what I am going to do,” he said, adding that he is proud to serve the country and that he is prepared to do anything to save lives. Dr Bam said saving lives is what he does and that to him is his calling.
COVID-19 in South Africa
The number of Coronavirus cases in South Africa has risen to 13, after six more new cases were confirmed on Wednesday. As a precaution, the Department of Health has embarked on a rigorous campaign of tracing every person the 13 individuals have been in contact with since returning to South Africa.
Some of the identified patients had shown symptoms, while others had not. However, they have all been placed on self-quarantine at home or have been admitted to hospital.
Our Managing Director recently returned to Cape Town, South Africa, from a trip to Europe, and the only place she saw people being tested for COVID-19 was at our own Cape Town International Airport. You can see the testing taking place in the video below.
First Case in DRC
The Ministry of Public Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported the country’s first case of COVID-19. Health authorities said tests found that a Congolese national, who had recently returned to Kinshasa from his residence in France had tested positive for the virus.
The DRC is one of eleven countries in Africa to have confirmed a case of COVID-19. The other countries are: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia. This comes as the country’s largest Ebola outbreak appears to be winding down, with no new cases of the disease confirmed in the past 21 days.
“It is sad to hear that just as the DRC appears to be near ending its worst Ebola outbreak, a new virus is threatening the health of its citizens,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “However, some of the readiness efforts put in place during the Ebola outbreak may help the country respond to COVID-19. WHO is here to support you, just as we continue to do in the Ebola response.”
Tracking the spread
To track the spread of the virus on a live map, made by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, click here.
Staying healthy
To see a list of things the World Health Organization recommends to protect yourself as best as possible, click here. The list includes practicing social distancing, washing your hands frequently, practicing good respiratory hygiene, and seeking medical care as soon as possible if you experience symptoms.
Plans for the workplace
US HR consultancy Mercer has published a 10-point guide for planning around the virus for your workplace. To read the guide, click here.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240. Sources: [1], [2], [3]. Image sources: [1], [2].
https://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/WHO.png9551795Andrew Stegmannhttps://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/relocationafricagroup.jpgAndrew Stegmann2020-03-11 11:37:132020-03-11 14:09:09COVID-19: An African Update