Zakynthos Informer Zakynthos Informer
Related Articles
Zante Covid Free!
Zakynthos is safe and remains safe. Misinformation or misleading events is dangerous and cause for panic.
Due to the pandemic it seems that information has either been twisted or sensationalized not only by international papers but by persons conveying their ideas to others, usually adding a little “salt and pepper” to what they have been told.
Zakynthos was and remains, at least until today, one of the safest and covid free places to visit, to use a terminology… “spread that around”
Our Island home has worked hard to keep it that way, and of course we will expect our visitors to work with us in keeping as safe as it has been. Yes, there is no denying that most of us living here do expect perhaps a case or two once visitors have arrived. After all it was those who travelled to international destinations that brought in the virus months ago. However that does not change the fact that Zakynthos is still a safe haven for international travelers. Nor does that change the fact that we have proven we can keep the cvirus at bay.
So, let’s get to the facts.
The last confirmed case, the 7th, a Zakynthian returning from Germany after the borders opened to patriots, is in good health after being treated at Rio Hospital in Patra. This case was the 7th in total since the beginning of the pandemic that broke out in February. The 7th case was two weeks ago. No other cases have come from this particular case neither from the tracking of the Hellenic Health Organisation (EODY) by its environment, nor from the samples taken at the hospital, nor from the sampling done at the airport, nor from anywhere else, at least until the time this blog was written, no new confirmed cases have occurred.
Three months ago was the 6th case, again no other immediate cases followed. In fact all our cases were immediately isolated and were closely examined by our Health Authorities so as not to cause a spread. All these people worked with the system accordingly and the results are obvious. Zakynthos is covid free.
Rumours.
Now, as far as rumours about visitors who recently stayed or who are on holiday here at the moment, out of all the samples taken not one case existed and certainly not any cases of covid-19 suspiciously or confirmed at the hotel designated for these particular cases.
Lockdown has also been on the lips of most; even international papers have written that we are on the verge of a second lockdown. Our Government has taken steps to ensure that this will not happen. If needed, they will lockdown but only the areas where cases have spiked. Yes, it is true that our “Panagiri” (Traditional Greek Celebrations) have stopped but only till the end of July, giving our scientists a chance to hinder the spread of covid.
Covid has not gone away. It is very much alive and invading. It’s up to us to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Keeping to the measures is above all a necessity to fight this battle. Receiving information on the correct measures is also just as important.
Zakynthian Gossip.
However, there are some, unfortunately, who are supposed to responsibly informing the public, who insist on sowing fear and panic, spreading false news, knowingly or unknowingly, about new cases. One heard from someone about 4 cases in that village, the other was told by her friend who is a nurse that 2 are being treated, another learnt from a friend of the driver at the so called hotel that 6 were being treated, I even heard that a team dressed up in covid outfits went to receive some tourists and drove them off somewhere they did not know. Of course the more you here the “stories” multiply.
Rumours, as is well known, spread like wildfire, faster and easier than the truth and in many more ways, especially now with social media. It’s through these untrue or false publications that have a reach abroad and to the ears of waiting visitors to our Island, who, as they cannot see what is actually happening on our island, logically get upset and even panic. Travel Agents, Hotels and even businesses have been bombard with potential guests trying to find out and distinguish gossip from fact. Some because they have believed the rumors cancel their bookings. For those who spread the rumours their reason cannot be found, perhaps they like a good story not realizing the damage that can be done.
Be aware.
Great care is needed to hand out information and the information that is handed out should always be fact. In this day and age information is easily at hand, trying to decipher whether it is hearsay or not can be very difficult at times. Therefore we all have a responsibility, especially now where the wrong information can be not only devastating to an already weak economy but to our own society at hand.
Tomorrow we have our first UK visitors arriving to our Island we wish them a pleasant stay and a safe one. They in turn will have to work with us all, keeping our Island as it has been for the last several months…. COVID FREE.
