If you’re still wondering about the importance of practising social distancing in these times we are all faced with, then perhaps hearing it first-hand from a Maltese medical practitioner who’s in the middle of it all will tip your balance to the right side. 

Newspoint has reached out to Prof. Victor Grech, who, other than helping run the paediatric cardiology services at Mater Dei, is also an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery and a researcher in epidemiology. 

Prof. Grech told us that “we are preparing for all eventualities, but we fear the public is being very complacent”.  

Referring to London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s comment in the Times of London about the absolute priorities to save lives and New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo’s executive order called ‘New York State on PAUSE’, he went on to say that the situation where some are not yet following the advice of public health officials is not unique to Malta. 

Cuomo’s words say it best: “We need everyone to be safe, otherwise no one can be safe … your actions can affect my health”, Prof. Grech restated. 

After telling us his life as a medical doctor is now taken up by contingency planning, crunching numbers and coming up with figures that “may overwhelm health services if people do not practice social wellbeing”, he urged the public to take heed and take care. 

“The public needs to understand medical staff are humans, and therefore we are also at risk. If people keep ignoring the advice given by authorities, and staff are taken out, health services to them will also suffer”, Prof. Grech concluded.

His blog, accessible online, is being continuously updated with his research.