Greek doctors warn coronavirus misinformation conspiracies abound

With COVID-19 spreading fast around the country, including food processing plants, the Athens Medical Association (AMA) warned against the misinformation being spread by anti-masks groups and those who think the pandemic is a political hoax.

The people defying health measures had no explanation about the 19,613 cases – up 80 percent in two months – nor the 405 people who died but have continued to spread fake news almost as fast as the virus has broken out.

The AMA, said Kathimerini, reiterated that health protocols to wear masks and stay a safe social distance of at least 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) is critical and could save lives, but many people still refuse despite facing 150 euro ($175.76 ) fines.

The defiers even include doctors, the AMA said, added it has reported several for disciplinary action over violation of medical ethics for allegedly “disseminating scientifically groundless opinions about the pandemic which put public health at risk.” The doctors being reported were not named, even to protect the public.

The doctors group recommended following the advice f the National Organization for Public Health and not be led astray “by obscurantist and groundless opinions” about the use of protective face masks and other measures designed to contain the Coronavirus.

People who don’t think COVID-19 is real or that masks shouldn’t be worn had no answers either as to why the government is now trying to rack and trace contacts of 114 workers at a cannery in the Pella region, northwest of Thessaloniki.

Some 18 teams from the National Organisation for Public Health (EODY) conductied mass testing in the area, especially around the cannery in Mavrovouni, Skydra, the paper reported.

The 114 cases were detected after testing 427 staff on the production line, while more than 50 staff in the exports department were tested Oct. 3 and public buildings were disinfected. It wasn’t said what goods were canned there.