More than 50 doctors and scientists have called on politicians to work together to minimise Covid-19’s impact on the community.
Politicians risked undermining life-saving information coming from the Government, health professionals, scientists, and public health officials, the combined clinicians, academics and administrators said in an editorial in the latest New Zealand Medical Journal.
"Although it is election year, we insist politicians resist the urge to scaremonger in an attempt to score points in the media," the article, published today, said.
"Instead, they should use their moments in the spotlight to amplify messages of our health system’s preparedness and how New Zealanders can individually make a difference at this critical time."
New Zealanders were being "bombarded" with information and misinformation about Covid-19, and some were scared or ill-informed, the editorial said.
"Specialist members of our country’s health system have been preparing for such a scenario for many years and their plans are being put into action, and tweaked where necessary as new information comes to hand.
"Politicking and criticising these professionals who are working hard on behalf of the country does nothing more than undermine them and public confidence in our system."
In Parliament yesterday, National health spokesman Michael Woodhouse unintentionally caused much sniggering when referring to "hot, sweaty, close contact situations that can last for hours", when questioning Health Minister David Clark about the response to a Covid-19 patient being in the mosh pit at a concert.
Earlier, Labour MP Kieran McAnulty took a shot at National MP David Bennett’s comments on panic buying, and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters referenced comments about comments from elected representatives about undermining health messages which related to National leader Simon Bridges.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson replied that it was imperative there was a positive focus on what New Zealand could do to fight the disease.
"There are workers and businesses around New Zealand who are anxious.
"The last thing we need is scaremongering and politicking."
