The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public to stop spreading the names of COVID-19 victims on social media as they could be detained and fined up to P2-million. “We call on the public to refrain from these lists around social media. This is illegal and perpetuates the stigma around COVID-19, ”said the DOH. Please the DOH, we should not intensify the feelings of the people who are suffering from COVID-19 because it is not a death sentence if COVID-19 is hit that in fact many are recovering. “Our compatriots are already going through enough as it is. Let us not exacerbate their situations ... COVID-19 is not a death sentence and fear is more dangerous than the disease, ”the DOH added. The warning was rooted in the report received with a list of COVID-19-positive patients spreading on social media. The DOH also reminded the public health authorities to ensure that the personal information of patients, as provided under Republic Act 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of the Public HealthConcern Act. The joint memorandum issued by the DOH and the National Privacy Commission also states that only concerned health-care providers, public health authorities, and their authorized personnel are allowed to access the personal details of COVID-19 cases. The DOH further warns that unauthorized access and illegal disclosure of personal information of a COVID-19 patient is punishable under Republic Act 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 with the penalty of imprisonment and fine from P500,000.00 to P2,000,000.00.
These should aware all the netizen that we should respect all the private lives of all who suffered the disease from the virus and to stop also discrimination from all those people even though not infected like health workers and some LSI. I just hope and pray that this virus will end near time soon.
