Public health emergencies, such as the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are stressful times for people and communities. In a country like ours,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, within a population, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease. Stigma can also occur after a person has been released from COVID-19 quarantine even though they are not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others.

Some groups of people who may be experiencing stigma because of COVID-19 in community of our country include:

• People with influenza like symptoms
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• People who just recovered from Covid-19 itself
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• Family or closed ones of Covid-19 patient
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• People who have travelled abroad
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• Emergency responders or healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, medical lab persons, pharmacists, volunteers and many more directly or indirectly working to combat the disease.
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• People with chronic health conditions
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• Elderly population

Stigma hurts everyone by creating fear or anger towards other people.Stigmatized groups may be subjected to:

• Social avoidance or rejection
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• Denials of healthcare, education, housing or employment
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• Physical violence
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• Verbal abuse/torture

Everyone can help stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing the facts and sharing them with others in your community.

REFERENCE: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/reducing-stigma.html?