Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Residents in the capital are calling for more awareness about Mers coronavirus (Mers-CoV) as parents in Dubai say they believe things are under control and there is no need to panic.
“I know that there have been very few cases over the last two years, but we need to know how the virus is spreading and who is most at risk. In today’s age of technology, many people rely on their social feeds for news but we have not seen any campaigns on this media by government authorities,” said Eisa Al Falasi, 27, an Emirati project engineer.
“I am not worried because this rate of infection is still small. But when I take my one-year-old son to hospitals and crowded places, I shield him from sick people in general,” she added.
Aisha Al Muhairi, an Emirati power forecaster, agreed with the need for more awareness efforts regarding Mers-CoV.
“My mother recently warned me to stay away from sick people, but we don’t really have much information other than the fact that it is a respiratory disease,” she said.
While the virus has not deterred travel to the capital, there is some unease, and people have been posting news links on social media websites.
“I have received a number of messages telling me about the virus. I don’t believe there is a general sense of panic but it would not hurt to know more about how to protect ourselves,” said R.L., an Irish teacher whose family is visiting her.
In Dubai, parents believe that people should not blow things out of proportion regarding Mers. Many said they believed that the situation was under control.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed that it has not closed any school as a precautionary measure.
“I have been reading about it in the news, from what I understand it only affects those with low immune systems. I also read that the UAE is taking all the necessary precautions. I don’t think that schools should close or take other strict measures unless if it is needed, said Eman Hassan, a mother of two.
Basel Al Khateeb, a father of three, said if it was a serious threat, schools would have been shut, which is why he is not concerned.
Close watch
Sarah Al Shamari, from Kuwait said she was not concerned with the current situation as the authorities are keeping a close watch on any new cases surfacing in the country.
“If dozens of people were getting sick all over the country then I would start to worry — but so far there has been a few cases and the authorities seem to have it under control.”
The Dubai resident said that while there is no reason to panic right now, the public should be aware of the situation. “I wish we were better informed about the virus and what we should be doing to prevent it,” she added.
Another resident, university student Reema Chayeb, said there had been no fear or anxiety about the virus at her university in Shajrah. “There are many viruses that spread, and this one is no different — it is not spreading quickly or affecting many people.”
The first year student said that no cases had been reported on campus and no warning had been issued about the virus by her university clinic.
Ahmad Salem from Ajman is also another resident who is not bothered by the recent development in the number of Mers coronavirus cases in the country. “The virus seems to be affecting older people who have chronic illnesses and others who have caught the virus are being treated.”
Salem said that he believes that panic will only spread if the number of cases rises rapidly.
