The LĀB, together with Latvian Association of Nurses and Latvian Junior Doctors Association, acknowledged that the Latvian public has generally good health education and literacy. Medics are grateful for their understanding and observing safety rules: limiting contacts, physical distancing, hand hygiene, the use of mouth and nose covers, and the “Stop Covid” application.
At the same time, the letter points out that overcoming the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be smoother if the "weakest links" are stronger and more understanding, specifically "people with poor health literacy, conspiracy theorists, or fake news distributors who want cheap attention."
The association also reminded the public that doctors find out something new about the COVID-19 virus every day. Residents are also called upon to trust doctors and not to fake statements about their health, as even small inaccuracies can have unforeseen, severe consequences.
The state of emergency in the healthcare sector means additional duties for medical workers, a huge physical and emotional load, additional work on holidays, sleepless nights, canceled vacations, a high risk to the health of the employee and family, the letter says. The association therefore called on people to spend their holiday in the family circle rather than crowding in shops and parties or spreading false news.
