Who Suffers from Being Shunned, Shamed, or Stigmatized?
Various groups have been targeted including:-Anyone who had and survived, or has tested positive for COVID-19
-Travelers, especially those returning from a travel
-Asian Americans
-Those released from quarantine
-Healthcare Workers
-People not wearing masks
-People not social distancing or following COVID-19 protocols
Every misstep is an opportunity to examine how we can do better. What can we learn from our errors?
How can we treat others with compassion? One question to ask yourself is, “How would I want to be treated if I have COVID-19?”
How Are Individuals and Groups Targeted for COVID-19 Shaming?
There are reports that COVID-19 survivors are fearful to admit they had the virus. This is because some friends, colleagues, and even family members that find out avoid the victim or completely stop communicating. Parents of children don’t want their own children put at risk.At the same time a COVID-19 patient wants support and comfort, fear may lead family members, co-workers, colleagues, and friends to avoid the patient altogether. COVID-19 survivors are shunned and excluded from normal social situations.Blaming is also seen with the current pandemic. Asian-Americans in particular have faced hostility and racism because of theories of where COVID-19 originated. Workers may be denied employment. Students may be excluded from the rest of the class. Isolated and scared, they frequently develop anxiety and depression.Shaming for not wearing masks or properly social distancing is increasingly common. Anger that the person is careless or not taking proper precautions can lead to hostility. Testing positive for COVID-19 and then being shamed by others for testing positive is traumatic. Feelings of fear, uncertainty, embarrassment, and even depression are normal.Insults and other verbal abuse, emotional abuse, and even physical abuse are taking place against Asian-Americans, frontline workers, first responders, and COVID-19 victims.Combat fear by knowing the facts:
-It is possible to be an asymptomatic carrier of the strain of virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19.
COVID-19 can be spread before you even realize you have symptoms of it.
-Respiratory droplets, or particles, are responsible for spreading COVID-19 from one person to another. This can be done by: coughing, sneezing, breathing, talking