Beat Stigma To Win COVID-19 War
The fear of COVID-19 has given rise to prejudice and discrimination against the affected people and communities. The concept of social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus is slowly taking the shape of social isolation as individuals having any connection with the disease are looked down upon and stigmatised. Such hostile behaviour has created an atmosphere of scorn which is toxic for a peaceful existence. Resorting to social boycott based on fear and misinformation has resulted in unnecessary social disruptions, hampering the fight against COVID-19.
Apart from COVID-19 patients and their families, people living in the neighbourhood of infected persons are also facing discrimination. They not only have to fight the fear of the virus spread but also the stigma that they are subjected to. This, in turn, disrupts their normal life, pushing them to the verge of a mental breakdown.
Requesting anonymity due to the fear of social boycott, Usha (name changed) of Bhubaneswar said recently, one of her neighbours in her apartment tested positive for COVID-19. The infected person was taken for treatment and the family put in institutional quarantine. The authorities pasted posters prohibiting entry to the house. Now, all the inhabitants of the building are staying in constant fear of the infection and are subjected to social boycott.
“Though we have completed the mandatory home quarantine period, the fear is still there. The panic-stricken residents in the neighbourhood have boycotted us and erected barricades around their buildings. Even the nearby grocery and vegetable vendors have requested us not to visit frequently as people of other buildings are complaining. Other essential service providers like the milkman and sanitary workers have stopped visiting our building. Our life is becoming extremely difficult with every passing day,” she said.
Another family in Bhubaneswar had to face a similar situation after one of its members tested positive for COVID-19. Ramchandra (name changed) said his grandmother was infected with the virus following which the entire family was put in institutional quarantine. “Though all of us were tested and found negative, we had to face hostility from society. When the news spread that we have been taken for institutional quarantine, we were boycotted by our relatives. None of them called and even received our calls as if they would get infected by talking to us over the phone. Some of our relatives later admitted that they were afraid of facing the brunt of social stigma if the news that we are related spread. We also found that even our neighbours had to face such a situation after we were taken to the quarantine centre,” he added.
Similarly, Rabi (name changed) lives with his family in a slum that has been declared a containment zone after several positive cases were detected in the locality. The entry and exit routes of their slum have been sealed and all outdoor activities prohibited. “We are living in a state of despair as life has become tough. I own a small betel shop which has remained closed since the coronavirus outbreak. I was hoping to open the shop after the unlock procedure started in the city. But all my hopes were dashed as our area has been declared a containment zone. My livelihood has been badly affected and I am unsure if I will be able to restore my livelihood. Even if I am able to open the shop, people may not visit since many COVID-19 cases have been reported from our area,” he said.
Though the Government has also recognised the issue and urged people to end the stigma attached to COVID-19, the evil continues to plague society. In order to end this menace, everyone needs to understand that stigmatising will aggravate the COVID-19 crisis. People should remain informed and reject myths associated with coronavirus. The society needs to move away from fear and paranoia and practice empathy along with physical distancing and proper hygienic habits to win the COVID-19 war.