CORONA CHAMPIONS
The
most unfortunate outcome of COVID 19 , is that the behavior of the society,
towards those who tested positive and treated well is not desirable.
The
COVID -19 has caused so much anxiety that
people have begun to distance themselves. Families and friends of identified
patients are also being stigmatized by society.
It
has been observed social distancing as one prominent result of stigma. The
public seeks to avoid those with a stigmatizing label, in order to escape the
risk of associating with the tainted identity. People are being disrespected and
discriminated against because of COVID -19 and it is wrong.
As
a psychologist, I believe-
This
kind of stigma is harming people with COVID -19 in three ways.
First
is self-sigma: the disrespect that
results when people associated with the virus internalize stereotypes and feel
tainted.
Second
is stigma given by society, harm
that results when people endorse stereotypes about individuals with COVID -19
(“they’re tainted") .
Third
is what has been labeled "Avoidance".
For example: Hey look, that’s Amit and he had Coronavirus. Because of label
avoidance, they will choose not to be tested or will not isolate.
Many
people have thinking that people who are infected with a disease may have done
something wrong to deserve it. We have to understand that people have
contracted the disease just by chance and not by doing anything wrong. On the
one hand people involved in the fight to control of the disease like the
Doctors, the Nurses, the Policemen the Safai
Karamcharis and others are being hailed as "Corona Fighters" why
can't we call those who have contracted but defeated COVID -19 as "Corona Champions" instead of stigmatizing
them and discriminating against them, they deserve empathy rather than hatred,
just for a brief moment try and step into their shoes and imagine your mental
state. Some people have even begun to boycott Doctors and Nurses fearing that
they might carry the virus and spread it to others, this is most unfortunate.
Don’t let intensity of Fear of COVID -19 turn
into Stigma.
Stigma harms the mental and physical
health of people with disease, and the morale of those fighting to nurse the
ailing back to good health. This stigma can take the forms of social rejection,
gossip, physical violence, and denial of services.
We should also talk openly about the
mental health struggles we are all facing — sharing our views, talking with
others about stressors including stigma can promote positive mental well-being.
Now, these Corona Champions are Hereos.
They are the heroes as they have not only successfully defeated the disease but
can also help treat those critically affected by the VIRUS.
We must not attach STIGMA and
must remember who the enemy it’s the VIRUS and not people with COVID -19 or affected by COVID -19.
Your article is very insightful people are confused with many terms being used, efforts should be made to educate that what Govt. is doing is in the best of their interest and they must co-operate. United we can defeat Corona..
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