Within the newest instance of misinformation concerning the coronavirus ricocheting throughout social media, a Nevada physician’s selfie has been used to unfold false claims that downplay the severity of the pandemic.
In the picture posted to Twitter on Sunday, the physician, Jacob Keeperman, is standing on the Renown Regional Medical Middle’s alternate care website in Reno, Nev. Within the background, empty hospital beds lined in plastic stand in a vacant parking space. The photograph was taken on Nov. 12, the day the location opened, so sufferers had not but arrived, Renown Well being stated.
“I wish to thank all of the unimaginable employees who’re Combating the Good Battle to assist all these affected by COVID-19,” Dr. Keeperman, the medical director for Renown’s Switch and Operations Middle, wrote. “With 5 deaths within the final 32 hours, everyone seems to be struggling to maintain their head up. Keep sturdy.”
His {photograph} was then utilized by the account @Networkinvegas to erroneously declare that it confirmed a “pretend hospital” that had “by no means seen a single affected person.”
On Tuesday, President Trump introduced that falsehood to a wider viewers, retweeting the @Networkinvegas submit with the remark: “Faux election ends in Nevada, additionally!” Twitter flagged the president’s tweet, noting that the declare about election fraud was “disputed.”
In truth, the alternate care website in Reno has cared for a complete of 219 Covid sufferers within the three weeks it has been open. And throughout Nevada, hospitalizations have risen 43 % within the final 14 days, with a 55 % improve in deaths, according to a New York Times database.
Dr. Keeperman stated in an interview on Wednesday that he was “unhappy and disenchanted” to see the assaults surrounding his submit on social media. “I despatched that tweet to acknowledge and to thank all of our well being care teammates that always go unrecognized,” he stated. “My best want is that I by no means have to inform one other household that their beloved one received’t be coming residence.”
He has acquired an outpouring of help from native, state and nationwide leaders, from well being care colleagues, and from many in most of the people — however he has additionally acquired some “lower than savory messages,” he stated. “I’ve chosen to disregard these and to maintain hope.”
In response to the president’s tweet, Gov. Steve Sisolak of Nevada, a Democrat, said, “His constant deceptive rhetoric on Covid-19 is harmful and reckless, and at present’s implication that Renown’s alternate care website is a ‘pretend hospital’ is among the many worst examples we’ve seen.”
Addressing those that keep that the pandemic is a few form of hoax, Dr. Keeperman stated within the interview: “Covid is actual. I certain hope that you just don’t get sick, however whenever you do, we’re going to be right here to take care of you. And we’re going to have a mattress for you, and we’re going to do our greatest. And you then’ll know simply how actual it’s.”
