TAPPITA, Nimba – The Nimba County Health Team has discharged 12 journalists from one of its precautionary observation centers in Tappita. The reporters were quarantined after coming in contact with fellow journalist Jeremiah Gayflor, who was tested positive for the Coronavirus in April.
The Voice of Tappita journalists were released on Tuesday, May 12 because no one presented signs and symptoms of the virus after they were observed for 21 days by health authorities.
Speaking at a brief ceremony making the official release of the journalists, County Health Officer Philip Sahr said the level of cooperation the journalists exhibited is what health authorities need from every Liberian in the fight against COVID-19.
“You all could have left for your respective homes and refused to be quarantined, but you chose to respect the health authority and you stayed here for 21 days,” he said. “I credit your action to that discipline and professionalism as public servants and that was why you behave the way you behaved.”
Dr. Sahr said while he regretted keeping young professionals in such a congested area and limiting their movement and interactions with family members, it was necessary to contain the outbreak in Tappita.
However, Sahr noticed that, in spite of the cooperation by the journalists, they refused to give their specimen to be tested for the virus, which he said set a bad precedent. As high-risk contacts, their refusal to be tested led to the extension of their observation period by an additional nine days, Sahr said.
He added, “Once you are considered high-risk contacts, you ought to be tested but you refused. This was one of the wrong things you did.”
Sahr also blamed the journalists for mismanaging the information about the discharge of Gayflor from the 14 Military Hospital. Many misinterpreted Gayflor’s release to mean that he never had COVID-19 and this led to citizens overrunning the precautionary observation centers and interacting with quarantined individuals.
It is normal for a person to test positive, be treated, and later test negative for the Coronavirus, Sahr said. He explained that the local media created a false perception that the Jackson F. Doe Hospital had falsely confirmed that Gayflor had the Coronavirus and that led to many Tappita residents doubting that the virus was in the city.
The county health officer encouraged the journalists to always contact health officials for clarity on health issues. He also urged them to continue following health protocols and to observe themselves for an additional 14 days.
Also speaking at the ceremony was the medical director at the Jackson F. Doe Hospital, Dr. Saygbay Vanyabah, who has been trying to repair the relationship between the hospital and the community. He asked the public to work with him and said the Coronavirus was a common enemy that they should all unite to defeat.
He challenged the journalists to be ambassadors who will educate the public on the preventive measures needed to fight COVID-19, since the public trust the media more than anyone else.
Meanwhile, the journalists thanked the county health team, the hospital, the Press Union of Liberia, and others who provided cash and in-kind donations during their period of observation.
Emmanuel Frazer, the acting news director of the Voice of Tappita, said the journalists’ time in quarantine would have been much more difficult without support from the public. He vowed that they would now play a vital role in ensuring that the virus is eradicated from Tappita, Nimba, and Liberia. He called for collaboration between health authorities and the media to ensure that the pandemic ends in Liberia.
Featured photo by Jerry Myers
