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Corona Virus Stigmatization

Feature Article Corona Virus Stigmatization
JUL 11, 2020 LISTEN

The recent novel Corona Virus has left many people running for their lives, being it at the societal level, groups or individual levels. Many activities such as economic, social and political activities have been forgone to help minimize the spread of this virus at all cost. This novel virus has in fact rendered a lot of social institutions and workers redundant at this point.

This pandemic has caused many economic activities to be in recess but conversely, its impact on social lives and institutions has been significant thus educational institutions being shut down and religious institutions submitting to government's directives of observing social distancing.

Despite its effects on our economic and political space, this pandemic has been felt more in our social lives and they include; worsening the plight of the poor and the vulnerable, weakening social institutions, many experiencing mental and psychological issues just to mention but a few. In the past days the concomitant effects of this virus have been felt by many a people.

This virus has caused more harm than good on people in the country in such that people with the virus are been stigmatized. Stigmatisation, at its essence, is challenge to one's humanity; for both the stigmatized person and the stigmatizer. Just like any virus in the world, such as HIV/AIDs, STIs which stays on one for long and probably with person till death, Corona Virus is an exception because people infected are guided to recover unlike the others but the rate at which people infected are being discriminated based on the virus is bad and should be condemned. It is not right for people infected to be discriminated against rather they need a helping hand to recover from this pandemic.

Yes, though it is difficult to associate ourselves with them, it is a wrong impression to tell them they are not part of us. When these people are been stereotyped or discriminated against , the impact will not only be felt by the person but probably the whole family and if care is not taken, it may have repercussions on the individual or the group (family ). We should understand that this virus is a health-related problem and everyone can be affected not through sexual intimacy but physical contact like the one who is being stigmatized.

By and large, this novel virus is changing our world,our perceptions and our way of living hence if by any chance we get to know anyone with the virus we must be in the shoes of the infected person.To reiterate, we should restrain from stigimatization. The role of the media on stigmatization must be heightened to correct the perception people have about the virus, our religious leaders and social activists must have common interest in combating stigmatisation of Covid 19 patients in our society. We must understand that we all can be victims of the said tag. Let's stay and home and stay safe.

KWEKU OPARE ASANTE (F_M).

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