Dr. M Lego

Public health emergencies during an outbreak of communicable diseases may cause fear and anxiety leading to prejudices against people and communities, their social isolation and high levels of stigma. Such behaviours may culminate into increased hostility, chaos and unnecessary social disruptions.
Cases have been reported that people affected with Covid-19 as well as the healthcare and sanitary workers and police, who are on the frontline for management of the outbreak are facing discrimination on account of heightened fear and misinformation about the infection. Even those who have recovered face such discrimination. What is worse, certain communities and areas are being labelled purely based on false reports floating on social media and elsewhere. Under this hostile atmosphere, there is an urgent need to counter such prejudices and respond as a community that is empowered with health literacy.
All responsible citizens should understand that although Covid-19 is a highly contagious disease which spreads fast and can infect anyone, protection can be ensured through social distancing, washing hands regularly and maintenance of sneezing/coughing etiquettes. But, despite all these precautions, if anybody catches an infection, it is not his/her fault and in such a situation of distress, along with the patient, the family also needs support and cooperation. It must be underlined that Covid-19 is curable and most people recover from it.
Healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and allied professionals are working tirelessly to provide care and medical/clinical support and also, without the selfless services of the sanitary workers and police, the battle would have been a lost case by now. They all deserve people’s support, praise and appreciation. It must also be remembered that all those directly involved in the management of Covid-19 are equipped with appropriate protective equipment and targeting them and their families will only weaken the overall fight against the pandemic.
All responsible citizens must observe a set of dos and don'ts. The dos will include appreciating the efforts of those providing essential services and extending support towards them and their families. Sharing only the authentic information available on the website of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare or the World Health Organisation (WHO) and cross checking any Covid-19 related information before sharing them on social media also form the responsibility of the citizenry. Sharing positive stories of those who have recovered from Covid-19 will also go a long way in boosting the morale of the citizens. 
Among the don'ts, it is highly important not to make public the names of those affected or under quarantine or their locality on social media to avoid spread of unnecessary fear and panic. The rising trend of targeting healthcare and sanitary workers or the police or labelling any community or area as “Super spreaders of Covid-19” must be suppressed at any cost.
It is also the time to alter the language while addressing those undergoing Covid treatment.  Calling them “Covid victims” will be highly unfair. “People recovering from Covid” will be the appropriate term since it carries a message of hope and encouragement. (The writer is Director Health Services, GoAP)

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List