~ Says don’t be blinded by following fake news ~
PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Ardwell Irion debunks messages currently circulating on social media on school closures.
“Ignore fake rumours and only respond to statements from formal government channels,” said Irion in a press release on Sunday.
Schools continue to operate as normal on Monday, March 16, and going forward, said the ECYS Ministry.
According to the release, the fake news message circulating said the source of the information is the Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations, and that it is on the advice of the Minister of Health.
“The Ministry ECYS hereby advises all teachers, parents, guardians and school managers of public and subsidised schools to monitor official sources and trusted news organisations for their information with respect to educational activities and developments on St. Maarten,” said Irion.
“Notices from other countries are being re-posted on St. Maarten by persons who unknowingly are creating distress and unnecessary panic. [Everyone – Ed.] has a responsibility to first review information before you re-post it via social media. Check if the information is from an official and credible source,” he added.
Persons are advised to listen to the government radio station 107.9FM for official information, statements and news updates, visit the government website
www.sintmaartengov.org/coronavirus, its Facebook page Facebook.com/SXMGOV or the ministry Facebook page: The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
The Ministry ECYS reminds the community and the school population that they should increase handwashing and cough and sneeze etiquettes in order to prevent the coronavirus COVID-19.
According to the release, the Health Ministry’s Collective Prevention Services’ (CPS’) influenza-prevention guidance is to practise daily proper handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and cough and sneeze etiquettes (cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing).
Influenza spreads from an infected person to others through the air by droplets (secretion) as a result of coughing and/or sneezing, or by direct contact with the virus on hard surfaces or people’s hands that have the viruses on them, then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others and those who have the flu and stay at home when you’re sick, concluded the release.
