Newspaper Seeks COVID Hoax Experiences
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- Published: Wednesday, 03 February 2021 08:56
- Written by Chris Tapper
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The Guardian is appealing to all UK healthcare staff, including dental staff, to make contact with the newspaper if they have had to cope with security issues or conspiracy theories from people who believe that COVID-19 is a hoax.
The Guardian’s interest in hoax theories in the healthcare setting was prompted by hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters gathering outside London’s St Thomas Hospital on New Year’s Eve to protest lockdown measures and ‘the COVID hoax.’
Dr Matthew Lee, a house officer at the hospital posted footage of the crowd. They appeared to be assembled without masks or practising social distancing, outside a building where hundreds were sick and dying. “I wish people could see the amount of COVID-19 and death in hospitals, and the sacrifices that healthcare workers make,” he told The London Economic.
The Guardian reported that one woman was fined under COVID-19 regulations after social media posts claimed parts of a hospital in Hampshire were ‘empty, while four men were arrised after filming inside hospitals including Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital Redditch.
Regarding problems with sceptics in dental practice, one dental professional posted on Twitter this week “Only two non-believers. I had to listen to some moans from one patient because he had to wear a mask.”
Another dental worker experienced ‘mask and sanitiser refusers,’ while one dentist said she had a few staff that ‘needed a few words’ regarding the vaccine.
One hygienist who is currently working as a ‘COVID swabber’ reported a patient refusing a pre-operative swab because they “didn’t believe in it.”
Another dental professional admitted she knew of a sceptic dentist, while an NHS dentist said “One (patient) refused a mask on the grounds of carbon dioxide poisoning and the other is a "naturalist" so doesn’t believe in masks. Somehow these two things are linked!”
Dr Stephen Porter, an NHS dentist working in Warrington said “Most patients are incredibly grateful we are open, some feeling guilty for having routine work done – worried they are taking spaces from more drastic emergencies. It’s been very pleasant overall!”
The Guardian asked “How do hoaxes and conspiracy theories about coronavirus affect you or your work? Have you ever had to treat patients or deal with loved ones who do not believe COVID is real? Have you encountered colleagues who have also appeared to have been swayed by conspiracy theories about the virus?
Anyone wishing to contact the newspaper can do so by clicking here .
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