Entertainment
BBC Breakfast’s Dr Nighat Arif attacked by Islamophobic trolls for simply explaining post-lockdown life after Covid
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BBC Breakfast medical expert Dr Nighat Arif has been targeted by Islamophobic trolls after she simply warned viewers we might still need to wear masks post-lockdown.
The GP made her weekly appearance on the morning news show on Monday, explaining what the future post-coronavirus might look like as well as reassuring viewers about the AstraZeneca vaccine.
But following her appearance, she revealed on Twitter that she had been targeted by cruel remarks about her race and religion, and had been forced to block people as a result.
‘Absolutely shocked at the racist, Islamophobic trolling on my twitter feed after I said on [BBC Breakfast] that even with the [Covid-19 Vaccine] for the foreseeable future face coverings, physical distancing, PPE, rapid testing are all still required.
‘Had to block a lot of trolls!’
Dan Walker, who was hosting Monday’s show, was among those lending her support, and replied: ‘So sorry to hear this. Nighat has been an absolute star on [BBC Breakfast] with her witty, intelligent, heartfelt & expert assessment of what she sees in her surgery every day.
‘Let’s hope that [Twitter] is able to take action against some of these trolls.’
Absolutely unacceptable abuse directed at [Dr Nighat Arif] for sharing her thoughts on [BBC Breakfast],’ added BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani.
‘Social media companies need to take tougher action.’
Speaking on Monday’s show, Dan asked Dr Nighat her thoughts on long-term regulations that will become normal as a result of coronavirus.
She told him: ‘I definitely think our behaviour has changed so we’ll be elbowing each other, rather than handshaking or kissing each other on the face. Probably even toe-tapping.
‘I definitely think that face covering is going to be a part of our normal state because the vaccine, yes, we know that it actually protects you, but our behaviour around viruses shouldn’t change.
‘We’ve seen the decline in norovirus, the flu virus, and we’ve also seen that people now actually feel a bit nervous. I can’t imagine getting into a lift or the underground, or not having face coverings on anymore.’
‘I don’t know about you but I think that sort of behaviour has to carry because the way to drive down viruses within the community is always going to come down to hand washing, face covering and keeping up physical distance from people,’ she continued.
‘But if we are behaving and we are doing all the right things, I think we could have our nearest and dearest at home with us around Christmas and New Year’s which would be phenomenal.’
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays from 6am on BBC One.
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