Don’t stigmatise suspected COVID-19 victims
Published:Saturday | March 28, 2020 | 12:07 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
I feel proud, for the most part, about the response from our Government and my fellow Jamaicans to the COVID-19 pandemic situation so far. As a people, perhaps out of fear and need for self-preservation, we have been conforming, to some degree, to messages from the health ministry regarding social distancing and the need for regular sanitisation of our hands and to avoid persons with flulike symptoms.
However, there is a major concern with how we have been going about avoiding people we suspect have been exposed to or are carrying the virus.
There have been reports in the media about a man who was physically assaulted and removed from a bus because he was coughing, and there was a woman who was removed by a taxi driver because she was also coughing.
Reports also came about threats being made to the family of Patient One and some taxi operators refusing to transport healthcare workers. There have been other instances that I am aware of in which employees have been stigmatised and discriminated against in the workplace because they either live near a quarantined area or live in a parish where there have been confirmed cases of COVID-19.
By these discriminatory acts, we not only disgrace and disrespect our fellow Jamaicans, but we are also forcing potential persons who genuinely suspect they have been exposed to the virus to go ‘underground’ and not seek medical attention out of fear of being labelled and stigmatised. This could lead to more persons being exposed to the virus unnecessarily.
I am appealing to our people to stop these discriminatory actions. Though we need to be aware and protect ourselves, this can be achieved without discriminating against others.
Bosses, managers, HR managers, and supervisors must also lead by example and demonstrate that stigma and discrimination will not be tolerated.
Finally, it is hoped that the health ministry will add to its media campaign the importance of the public not stigmatising and discriminating against those who may appear to have flulike symptoms. When we respond based on fear and ignorance, it leads to panic, chaos, and further spread of the virus. Let love and respect for all be at the core of our response.
Omar Mattis