Covid deniers’ forays into hospitals put lives at risk, officials say...

Lives are at risk and patient care disrupted by a series of incursions into hospitals by Covid-19 deniers whose online activity channels hatred against NHS staff, according to chiefs of the health and police.
In the latest example of a growing trend, a group of people were kicked out by security from a Covid-19 service last week as one filmed staff, claiming the virus was a hoax and demanding that a seriously ill patient be sent home.

“He will die if he’s taken out of here,” a consultant told the man in footage, which was later shared on social media. Following the Guardian’s contact, Facebook took pictures and other shocking messages in which conspiracy theorists described NHS staff as ‘fan killers’.

However, footage filmed in the hospital continues to be uploaded and shared online. Police said on Wednesday they were asking for the public’s help in locating a 45-year-old man from Kent in connection with the latest incident, which took place at East Surrey Hospital. The distress was caused by “the escalation of abusive and threatening comments on staff targeting social media,” the force said.

In the footage, a man behind the camera remonstrates with a consultant, who tells him a patient will die if his oxygen tube is removed. Asked about the treatment given, the consultant explains that the patient has coronavirus pneumonia affecting both lungs and that he is being treated with steroids (dexamethasone) and antibiotics.

The man behind the camera says the patient should be brought home and the treatment replaced with vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc, but the consultant tells him: “None of these treatments are proven against. the coronavirus.

Since New Years Eve, when hundreds of people showed up outside St Thomas’ Hospital in London, conspiracy theorists have hunted down the wards of a dozen hospitals to collect images, which were shared on the social networks. At least seven people were fined or arrested

The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK), a union representing primary care physicians, said it was unacceptable that staff working on the ground to ensure patient safety now had to worry about a new emerging threat of Covid deniers and anti-masks. He said Twitter and Facebook have a responsibility to ensure that people breaking into hospitals to film footage are not given a platform.

“The staff are exhausted and working on steam. They shouldn’t have to deal with abuse and even death threats on social media, ”said Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden, President of DAUK.

“They also shouldn’t worry about showing up for their shift because of the crowds of people chanting ‘Covid is a hoax’ outside hospitals full of sick and dying patients. It decimates morale, but even worse, it could hamper patient care.

The incident at East Surrey Hospital, where police have issued fines and warnings and continue to investigate what they have described as an ‘escalation’ on social media, comes after the arrest at the beginning of the month of four men allegedly filming at hospitals in the West Midlands and Worcestershire, and a woman from Gloucestershire.

Security guards also kicked out Covid-19 ‘deniers’ taking photos of empty hallways at Colchester hospital, where the intensive care unit is at full capacity, while a woman has also been sentenced fined for first use of specific Covid-19 powers after social media posts. parts of a Hampshire hospital were “empty”. Hillingdon Hospital and Croydon Hospitals have also been targeted by intruder shootings.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents the trusts in England, said the foray was risky for both patients and staff.

“Trust executives are concerned about the recent activities of Covid deniers, who film empty areas at night and protest outside hospitals,” he said.

“Walking into a Covid department, putting the lives of patients and staff at risk, and then posting a video online afterwards, highlights new lows. This is not only dangerous, it is also deeply disrespectful of the extraordinary efforts of frontline NHS staff who, day in and day out, work hard to save the lives of critically ill patients.

“The NHS trusts take the safety and security of their staff, patients and visitors incredibly seriously and trusted leaders told us they had reviewed the security arrangements to ensure the appropriate protections are in place. ”

Michael Wilson, chief executive of the NHS trust for Surrey and Sussex, where the last known incident happened last week, said: ‘Any suggestion that Covid-19 does not exist or is not serious is not only extremely disrespectful to NHS staff. treating patients affected by the virus, but it also puts the lives of others at risk. ”

The incidents in hospitals and their consequences on social networks have been described by the Center for the Fight against Digital Hate (CCDH) as “a new phase in the militarization of disinformation”.

“It is incredibly disturbing that individuals radicalized on social media using disinformation and conspiracy theories are now being mobilized to take action that directly endangers lives and targets healthcare professionals,” said Imran Ahmed, CEO of the NGO, which works to counter online hate speech.

Facebook said it had deleted messages reported by the Guardian and disabled several accounts. a spokesperson said: “We are removing misinformation about Covid-19 that could lead to imminent physical harm, including false information about approved vaccines and treatments.”

The company said it has removed millions of such content and is working with fact-checking organizations.

East Surrey Police said East Surrey Hospital called them on Saturday about social media posts that included abusive videos and comments about hospital staff.

They recounted the incident on Thursday when police were called following reports that a number of people had been granted access to the intensive care unit to visit a family member and were not wearing masks , had abused the staff and refused to leave.

Two people were fined for violating Covid-19 restrictions and a breach of the peace warning prompted the group to leave.

Surrey Police said on Wednesday Toby Hayden-Leigh, 45, of Maidstone, Kent, was wanted due to subsequent social media posts.

DCI Kimball Edey said: “We would like to speak to Hayden-Leigh about this incident and the escalation of abusive and threatening comments directed at hospital staff on social media. These comments are extremely worrying and obviously cause considerable distress to those affected.

“Hospital staff, like all NHS workers, are trying to care for seriously ill people under extremely difficult circumstances, and being targeted and abused in this way on social media is simply unacceptable.

Police said they also needed to locate Hayden-Leigh due to the public health risk he poses after being in the vicinity of a patient who remains critically ill with Covid.