Kapuso resident political analyst Richard Heydarian became the latest media person who lashed out at IATF consultant and epidemiology expert Dr. Edsel Salvana.
In a tweet Monday, March 30, Heydarian chided Salvana’s “expertise” on COVID-19 matters.
“Wait, is this the same “expert” who claimed “contained” nila yung CORONAVIRUS epidemic just weeks ago??? Koya: thanks to INTERNET, we can READ analysis by real TOP EXPERTS in the WORLD, kaya sorry nlng sayo and your “educational” tweets! Can we confirm these screenshots please..”
Wait, is this the same “expert” who claimed “contained” nila yung CORONAVIRUS epidemic just weeks ago??? Koya: thanks to INTERNET, we can READ analysis by real TOP EXPERTS in the WORLD, kaya sorry nlng sayo and your “educational” tweets! Can we confirm these screenshots please… pic.twitter.com/lfPO22BVmg
— Richard Heydarian (@Richeydarian) March 30, 2020
Heydarian pointed out the doctor’s contradicting opinions published on Twitter regarding the government’s efforts in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The political analyst attached two screenshots of Salvana’s tweets with one saying the country already contained the virus last February and arrogantly saying, “We saved your butt. You’re welcome”.
The other tweet, on the other hand, implied frustration over the rising cases of COVID-19 and slamming lawyers and media people who are criticizing him saying “please call the media person and the lawyer to treat your COVID-19”.
Prior to Heydarian, Kapuso journalist Atom Araullo had a twitter exchange with Dr. Salvana.
Atom questioned Salvana’s tweet disputing DOH’s number of tests conducted in the country.
Then sir, I’m sorry to say but your tweets are misleading at best, and malicious at worst. I was NOT referring to total number of tests but individuals tested! This is what the DOH tracks anyway. So hindi pala inaccurate yung data. https://t.co/J1xQZDpzxx pic.twitter.com/eWEPeCRJ4t
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) March 27, 2020
According to Atom as based on the DOH numbers, we are only testing 200 patients a day for a current total of 2,147 compared to Vietnam’s 30,548, Thailand 10,343, Malaysia 21,855, Singapore 39,000 considering these are countries that have smaller populations than the Philippines.
Salvana meanwhile refuted Atom’s claim saying the total test actually done by the DOH is 11,466 which translates to 1,000 tests per day.
Atom, the 2147 tests is inaccurate. Its not as simple as adding the COVID tracker numbers. Positive patients get many repeat tests until they turn negative. The actual tests performed is 11,466. Capacity now at more than 1000 test/day. DOH will update. https://t.co/avBoas8HrG
— Dr. Edsel Salvana (@EdselSalvana) March 27, 2020
The two however ended up agreeing to disagree with their separate analysis.
Not picking a fight, doc. Never was
Just presenting evidence that the comparison between countries is correct. Data is data, this is really not a matter of opinion. I think the evidence supports the interpretation that “tests” in this case refers to individuals.
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) March 29, 2020
So much polarization. I'm at fault as well. Let's please move on from this. I don't think it helps. I already reached out to @atomaraullo and we agreed to disagree. We both agree that the enemy is the virus. Not fellow Filipinos. We need to help each other out. Thank you.
— Dr. Edsel Salvana (@EdselSalvana) March 28, 2020
