Covid-19 and Social Stigma: Are we failing humanity?

Covid-19 and Social Stigma: Are we failing humanity?

Have you noticed how Nepal as a nation is always confused about its allies and opponents? We are also confused about the victims and the culprits.

From looking down upon rape and acid attack victims rather than taking measures in ending those heinous acts to rioting against health workers and demonizing victims rather than taking real measures to control the virus, it looks like we are in a serious dilemma.

Apparently, it is not a newly found confusion rather an omnipresent flaw in our society.

So, what is our stance as a nation?

A deadly enough pandemic, creating chaos in human civilization; its rampant spread has caused an unprecedented toll on the global population.

Yet amidst the terror, disheartening news of bias and stigma against healthcare workers and recovered patients of Covid-19 and their families are frequently surfacing. This pandemic is a critical situation within itself, yet the stigma around the virus is discouraging.

 

Are we forgetting something? Maybe some respect and HUMANITY?

We have always advocated health as wealth, yet in the time being have failed to empathize with the critical situation. A time when unity and support are of the utmost essence, we are definitely marching towards the opposite path.

From berating and attacking health workers to demonizing and shunning of recovered patients and their families, we are certainly in the verse of failing humanity. On one hand, we have health workers risking their lives for our safety, and patients overcoming their health issues yet on the other, they are intimidated to face bias and prejudices.

The inhumane act they are obliged to face more or less reflects our level of awareness. It confirms how blindly we rush into believing information from less reliable portals and act based on confusion and fear.

Unfortunately, those obligated by their duty and those overcoming their health issues are the one’s paying for our irrational actions.

Have we considered the repercussions of our actions?

Most probably no. Because our actions surely do affect the health workers and recovered patients – mentally and emotionally. It discourages them to fulfill their duties and reluctant in seeking medical attention immediately; that they are at greater risk of developing psychological health problems.

What we tend to overlook is how our prejudiced actions can overshadow the substantial attention required by the real threat i.e. the virus.

The current situation strongly ensures we are in no place to gamble our limited manpower and risk neglecting healthy behaviors. What we need most today is love and support to survive this chaos; to live and let live with respect and dignity.

So, let us ask ourselves a question.

Are we insensitive or we deliberately are being one?

 

 

 Also Read

Letter to My Future Self | Poetry by Sabi Thapa

 

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