Stigma related to Covid-19

Why might someone blame or avoid individuals and groups (create stigma) because of COVID-19? 

People in the U.S. may be worried or anxious about friends and relatives who are living in or visiting areas where COVID-19 is spreading. Some people are worried about the disease. Fear and anxiety can lead to social stigma, for example, towards Chinese or other Asian Americans or people who were in quarantine. 

Stigma is discrimination against an identifiable group of people, a place or a nation. Stigma is associated with a lack of knowledge about how COVID-19 spreads, a need to blame someone, fears about disease and death and gossip that spreads rumors and myths. 

Stigma hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem. 

How can people help stop stigma related to COVID-19?

People can fight stigma and help, not hurt, others by providing social support. Counter stigma by learning and sharing facts. Communicating the facts that viruses do not target specific racial or ethnic groups and how COVID-19 actually spreads can help stop stigma.

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1. What can I do to protect myself?
2. What is JCPH doing?
3. Where can I get resources?
4. Am I at risk?
5. How do I get tested?
6. What are the symptoms?
7. What is exposure notification?
8. Stigma related to Covid-19
9. Flu & COVID-19