The doctors’ organizations mocked the Turkish government’s recent decision to track people in social media who it claims are spread “fake news about the corona virus.”

Istanbul Chamber of Physicians: “Will you arrest the coronavirus also?”

The doctors’ organizations mocked the Turkish government’s recent decision to track people in social media who it claims are spread “fake news about the corona virus.”

The Istanbul Chamber of Physicians issued a statement against the government’s acting as the “truth police” on health issues. In the statement, it was emphasized that coronavirus is not an internal threat but rather is a public health issue.

The health professionals questioned the fact that although Turkey’s neighbors on two side, Greece and Iran has the disease, why it has not been observed in Turkey. Many believe that the secrecy government imposes on the worldwide health crisis is making the matter worse. They also believe Turkey is not doing any tests to hide the presence of the disease in the country. Turkey is concerned that accepting the disease may reduce tourism. However, the doctors’ association believes the government secrecy only increases the already high mistrust against the government.

Couple of days ago the government said the social media accounts were scanned to catch those who would dare to “spread fake news” and punish them.

In response, the Istanbul Chamber of Physicians urged the Turkish government to concentrate on the social health issue rather than invoking punitive and political measures against free speech. The association asked, “When we have a Health Department, why was the issue of public health given to the Department of Interior for handling? This goes even beyond ‘eclipse of the mind’ type of treason.”

Doctors are calling for openness instead of the usual secrecy Turkish government operates under. “The measures against the coronavirus should be done by occupational associations of the doctors and health professionals. These should be done with the utmost transparency and openness to the public. Those who have been used to suppressing the opposition, silencing the society, and imprisoning the authors and journalists should know that it is impossible in the world to fight against the coronavirus using the same methods.”