Ward loudspeakers - 'extended arms' in Covid-19 prevention

In recent times, information and propaganda work in the prevention and control of Covid-19 epidemic in the areaVinh Cityis being carried out in many forms. In addition to propaganda on the system of media channels, newspapers, bulletin boards, billboards, posters, social networks... the broadcasting system to communes and wards has contributed to helping people grasp information in their wards and residential areas quickly and promptly.

For more than 2 months now, especially in the past few days, Ms. Bui Thi Lien - a cultural officer of Hung Loc commune has had to continuously be present at the commune's radio room to promptly update information on the commune's loudspeaker system, especially news about epidemic prevention and control work, updates on the epidemic situation, and areas with cases in the community so that people can clearly understand.

After editing the news and having the content approved by the leader, Ms. Lien will directly record and broadcast it on the radio system, or read directly urgent news about the Covid-19 epidemic situation. Photo: Tien Dong

According to Ms. Lien, normally the radio system will broadcast news in the morning, noon and afternoon. Morning broadcasts are at 5:30 am, noon is at 11 am and afternoon around 5 pm. However, recently, broadcasts outside of those 3 time slots can be broadcast suddenly at any time, maybe in the middle of the night, when there are new developments of the epidemic, it must be updated and informed to the people immediately.

Looking at the newsletter in Ms. Lien's hand, with about 10 A4 pages, updating information about the epidemic, the direction of the City People's Committee, the Commune People's Committee and some information from mass organizations that need to be announced to the people. I was surprised when Ms. Lien said that she edited everything every night to broadcast early tomorrow morning. For the radio program of the Vinh City Cultural - Information Center, it is broadcast live or transferred to a replay file, but for information in the commune, I have to edit and record it myself and then broadcast it on the system. In addition, there is also some information and quick directive documents that can be read directly on the loudspeaker.

Ms. Lien's daily radio news is about 10 A4 pages thick, including instructions from the city and commune, along with announcements from mass organizations to the people. Photo: Tien Dong

Currently, Hung Loc has 18 hamlets, with 30 loudspeaker clusters providing people with timely information and epidemic situation. Mr. Tran Xuan Sanh - Secretary of the Party Cell of My Thuong hamlet (Hung Loc), said: during the epidemic, not all people have smartphones to update information, moreover, information on newspapers, radio or social networks is often very general, not close to each residential area, so the loudspeaker system has promoted this strength to spread among the people. Moreover, in addition to providing general information of the city, the commune's loudspeaker system also provides close information, each area, the situation of infections in the area, helping people get official information, know if there are any community infections around them or not to avoid them.

Loudspeaker clusters in blocks and hamlets continuously update information about the epidemic so that people can know. Photo: TL

In Hong Son ward, when the second outbreak of Covid-19 occurred in Vinh city since August 14, this locality became the place where many Covid-19 cases related to the area appeared.Vinh wholesale marketDuring this time, the ward's loudspeaker system continuously updates information on instructions, cases, and high-risk areas to the people.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Tu - a cultural officer of Hong Son ward shared: the past few days have been really stressful for all people in the ward. When the first case related to Vinh Wholesale Market appeared, the ward's daily news continuously revolved around the work of directing, tracing, and rapid testing. There were times in the middle of the night when there were test results of a case, we had to inform on the loudspeaker, asking people to gather for rapid testing to isolate and screen as quickly as possible. Although we know that broadcasting a news bulletin at that time will make people anxious, it is necessary for people to grasp official information, not panic and coordinate with the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committee of the ward and the city in the most positive way.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Thien - Deputy Head of Hoang Dieu Block, Hong Son Ward is reading the announcement about the epidemic situation on the block's loudspeaker system. Photo: Cong Kien

Currently, in Hong Son ward, there are 7 blocks with 10 loudspeaker clusters. In addition to broadcasting the news of Vinh City Cultural and Information Center, the ward's cultural officers also edit news and articles to broadcast on loudspeakers, and at the same time transfer the radio files so that the blocks can continuously inform the people.

During the outbreak, especially when Vinh City implemented the policy of "stay where you are", wards and communes arranged for officials to take turns working at the People's Committee headquarters, while officials in charge of broadcasting had to be present every day.

In addition to editing news bulletins, the staff in charge of broadcasting in wards and communes also do a good job of transmission, reception and broadcasting techniques. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Nguyen Huu Trung - Head of the Department of Culture and Information, Vinh City People's Committee said: Understanding the role of the grassroots broadcasting system is very necessary, especially in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak and many complicated developments. Right before Vinh City had to isolate society according toDirective No.16The City People's Committee has also reviewed and inspected the loudspeaker system in 25 wards and communes to ensure stable and effective operation.

Up to now, the whole city has 60 loudspeaker clusters managed by the Vinh City People's Committee, not to mention each ward and commune has about 20 loudspeaker clusters, which have effectively provided and covered information within a 105km2 area of ​​the whole city. The reception and broadcasting of news from the Vinh City Cultural - Information Center are all carried out according to regulations. In addition, wards and communes also directly announce information at various times.

Currently, all 25 wards and communes in Vinh City have a broadcasting system with many modern equipment. Photo: Tien Dong

"However, cWe always direct wards and communes to provide information fully and promptly, not to let people "starve" for information, leading to listening to unofficial information, causing panic among the masses, affecting the work of preventing and fighting the epidemic in general" - Mr. Trung further emphasized.