COVID-19 Pakistan: Amna Ali Alpiyal Talks About Her Experience Covering Covid-19
Amna Ali Alpiyal is a freelance journalist based in Islamabad, Pakistan. She has been covering Covid-19 focusing on the various aspects of the pandemic with an aim to inform the community.
She shared with us about the state of the pandemic in the country’s capital where she resides.
“The situation of coronavirus is under control in Islamabad. The city’s local administration is dealing with the situation wisely and steps taken by them are much appreciable,” she said.
Amna usually reports on the Election Commission of Pakistan, parliamentary affairs committees, politics and social activities. But covering COVID-19 has been a bit of a challenge for her.
Amna informed us that the capital has so far recorded over 115 cases. However, she has recently moved to her hometown and has been reporting the situation there. When she was earlier covering the pandemic in Islamabad, she ensured the use of protective gear.
“When I covered COVID-19 on the ground such as in hospitals and markets, I used gloves, masks to cover my face, and hand sanitizer. I did so, particularly because I’m not (working) with any organisation, and have not received personal protection equipment, which has been given by the government for media personnel,” she said.
While covering Covid-19, Amna would travel using a private cab service and carried her own equipment for reporting purposes. But in terms of on-the-ground challenges Amna shared that she does not have proper protection gear for her safety.
When talking about the restrictions imposed by the government, Amna said that the initial days were difficult, as journalists were initially not given proper information about the cases.
“There was no mechanism for getting data of cases. We were misguided sometimes as well. However, those working in Islamabad and Rawalpindi now are not facing similar issues or restrictions,” Amna shared.
To make sure that her mental health remains stable while dealing with the pandemic related stress, Amna works out and takes care of her fitness. “I regularly workout and do different exercises at home to relax my mind and body,” she shared.
As for other journalists covering the pandemic, Amna recommends following a proper self-care plan.
“Workouts, yoga and different exercises to relax one’s mind and body is important. As journalists, we are vulnerable to this invisible virus and need to ensure precautionary measures,” she said and added that journalists who are in the field have to be very careful about their safety.
She also shed light on the delinquencies of fake news and how it has damaged the dignity of a profession called journalism.
“Today, fake news spreads faster through the internet and social media, so reporters should be careful, avoid panic and report responsibly. And remember this, we are not just fighting an epidemic, we are also fighting an infodemic,” she said, quoting the words of World Health Organization’s Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
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