https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200224-sitrep-35-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=1ac4218d_2

SUBJECT IN FOCUS:Risk Communications to Address Stigma

Stigma occurs when people negatively associate an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, with a specific population. In the case of COVID-19, there are an increasing number of reports of public stigmatization against people from areas affected by the epidemic. Unfortunately, this means that people are being labelled, stereotyped, separated, and/or experience loss of status and discrimination because of apotentialnegative affiliation with the disease.

Given that COVID-19 is a new disease, it is understandable that its emergence and spread cause confusion,anxiety and fear among the general public. These factors can give rise to harmful stereotypes.

Stigma can:
•Drive people to hide the illness to avoid discrimination
•Prevent people from seeking health care immediately
•Discourage them from adopting healthy behaviours

Such barriers could potentially contribute to more severe health problems, ongoing transmission, and difficulties controlling infectious diseases during an infectious disease outbreak. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), UNICEF and the WHO are developing community-basedguides and global campaigns to thwart the effects of stigma on people and the COVID-19 response.

Do your part.Governments, citizens, media, key influencers and communities have an important role to play in preventing and stopping stigma. We all need tobe intentional and thoughtful when communicating on social media and other communication platforms, showing supportive behaviors around COVID-19.



ked uz aj who vyzyva influencerov, aby si spravili svoju obciansku povinnost