It is wrong to stigmatise victims of coronavirus

Public health emergencies, such as the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), are stressful times for people and communities. 

Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma towards people, places, or things.

For example, stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease such as Covid-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk of the disease.

Stigma can also occur after a person has been released from Covid-19 quarantine, even though they are not considered a risk in spreading the virus.

It is important to remember that people, including those of Asian descent who do not live in or have not recently been in areas that have been affected by Covid-19, are not at a risk of spreading the virus.

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Stigma hurts everyone by creating fear or anger towards other people. Stigmatised groups may be subjected to social rejection, denial of healthcare, education, housing, employment, physical violence among others.

Stigma affects the emotional or mental health of stigmatised groups and the communities they live in. Stopping stigma is important for us to create a society that is resilient to the pandemic.

Everyone can help stop stigma related to Covid-19 by knowing facts about the virus and sharing them with others. It is not the wish of coronavirus patients to contract the disease.

You never know what could happen tomorrow. You may be the one infected or your close relative might fall prey to it. Communicators and public health officials can help counter stigma by maintaining privacy and confidentiality on those seeking treatment for the infection.

Medical experts must share information about Covid-19 without increasing fear. They should share accurate information about how the virus spreads.

They should also speak out against negative behaviour that could enhance the stigma, by castigating people who share false statements about the disease on social media.

I also feel on this, the so-called ‘social media influencers’ must be stopped, perhaps by the law, from sharing images of those affected by the disease online.

Such images only reinforce stereotypes associated with the disease. People who have travelled to areas where the Covid-19 outbreak has been witnessed should observe self-quarantine.

Our friends in China should be given all the international help that nations can muster. Governments all over the world must show enthusiasm while fighting the disease, since curing it is the best way to vanquish the stigma.