The coronavirus 2019-nCoV, with its fatalities and stretch across continents, is leading to fear among the human population. Such fears may lead to misinformation, hindering effective government responses. The Australian government’s treatment of international students discussed further below, is an example of the danger of fear. The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) response of not declaring this a pandemic may influence policy making at a global stage. However, rather than criticising the United Nations (UN) organisation, the bigger picture shows this may not be a pandemic if contained. The world needs to come together and contain this threat more effectively and humanely rather than by spreading fear.

The coronavirus outbreak is an epidemic rather than a pandemic given its relatively low fatality rate of 2 per cent. Compared to the 2002 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak which had a 10 per cent fatality rate. Both the coronavirus and SARS have much lower fatality rates than the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) at 34 per cent. The coronavirus not being labelled a pandemic does not mean that people should not tread with caution. Medical advice has been suggested and the WHO guide provides the relevant details currently at hand.

SOCIAL MEDIA GIANTS AND THE SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION

Misinformation through social media sites are playing a role in the spreading of fear. Untrue claims are being made such as the allegation that this virus was created as a bioweapon, false methods of curing the virus are spreading online, and some people are even going so far as to say that the coronavirus was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Fortunately, companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google are working alongside the WHO in containing such posts. The reality however, is that the coronavirus is a respiratory infection originating in Wuhan, China. It has spread to dozens of other countries in quick succession. This spread is a big issue given China’s influence with its nationals abroad contributing to foreign economies such as Australia.

AN AUSTRALIAN CASE STUDY

Following the rise of this new version of the coronavirus, the Australian government imposed a travel ban for those in China. Federal Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg cited safety as a priority for this drastic measure. Regardless of the impact the Chinese have on the Australian economy with 200,000 students coming to Australia for tertiary studies and more than 1.4 million Chinese tourists arriving in Australia in 2019. The Chinese embassy in Australia has responded by referring to these measures as ‘extreme’ because the WHO has not recommended trade or travel restrictions on China.

Chinese international students who study in Australia have concerns about their future after having paid for their tuition, yet are stranded in China. Australian universities are saying they will be flexible with affected students. This can involve deferring studies, being given the option to study online, or having fees refunded. Monash University has delayed the start of its first semester by one week to accommodate affected students. The University of Canberra however, has requested students to defer their semester.

A global reputation taskforce was formed by education minister Dan Tehan, and Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia to discuss bushfire impacts on the International student market. However, the scope of the taskforce has now expanded to suggesting more consistent responses by universities to support international students impacted by the travel ban.

ONE PROPOSED RECOMMENDATION

The WHO not labelling coronavirus 2019-nCov as a pandemic does not lend itself to complacency. On the other extreme however, Australia has imposed a travel ban which will impact its economy until international students return and Chinese tourists are allowed to travel to the country again. Even after the ban is lifted, students in particular may be victims of profiling on top of their study patterns being affected by varying degrees of policies implemented by Australian universities. Given the relatively low fatality rate of the coronavirus, guides on how to treat it, and an extreme travel ban put forth by the Australian government, international policy-makers must heed caution to misinformation and spreading of fear in dealing with this infectious threat effectively.

Jibran is a fourth year Law and Economics student at the University of Canberra (UC), with a growing passion in International Law. He hopes to make a difference through developing a portfolio of written content alongside pursuing a career as a legal practitioner.

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