Let’s face it: many of us have looked down on someone who contracted COVID-19 at some point this year. It’s a judgment we’ve all made, and it’s contributed to the growing stigma surrounding those who test positive for the virus. During this challenging time, it’s human nature to scrutinize the actions of others, particularly when it comes to their health choices. The pandemic has flipped our lives upside down, leading us to question the behavior of those who have fallen ill.
When we hear about someone getting infected, we often find ourselves playing detective, assessing their actions to determine if they were being cautious enough. Did she wear a mask? Didn’t I see him posting gym selfies? I know their entire extended family gathered for Thanksgiving!
Our sympathy tends to lean towards essential workers like doctors and nurses who contract the virus while fulfilling their duties, as well as people who seem to be following all safety protocols yet still get infected. However, when we discover that a friend who frequents crowded bars has tested positive, we may roll our eyes and think she had it coming. After all, while we’ve been staying home and sacrificing our social lives, she’s been out partying. She deserves COVID, right? Wrong.
It’s natural to feel frustrated with those who disregard health guidelines, but once someone has tested positive, it’s crucial to foster empathy rather than shame. If someone has acted irresponsibly and contracted the virus, that consequence is already significant enough. We shouldn’t add the weight of stigma or judgement on top of their illness. It’s essential for the greater good, not just for the individual’s sake.
I get it. It’s aggravating to look at someone who hasn’t taken precautions and think they don’t deserve our understanding. But here’s the reality: the increasing stigma surrounding COVID-19 only compounds the problems we face. As infectious disease expert Julia Marcus pointed out, “Instead of engaging with public health, people want to hide from it. Instead of deterring risky behavior, we end up deterring disclosure.”
We need individuals to feel safe and comfortable to be upfront about their health status. They should be reaching out to those they’ve been in contact with, isolating themselves until they’re no longer contagious, and working to contain the virus rather than spreading it. No matter how someone caught the virus, once they have it, empathy is necessary. Stigma and shame only lead to dishonesty about symptoms, avoidance of testing, and disruption of contact tracing efforts.
The stigma surrounding COVID-19 primarily serves to elevate those of us adhering to health guidelines, but that sense of superiority is misplaced. I’m guilty of this too. It’s vital to recognize that unless every member of our household is completely isolated from others, we all face some risk of exposure. We must acknowledge that not every case of COVID-19 is due to negligence.
For example, my partner recently faced exposure to COVID-19 at work. He’s part of a National Guard unit handling pandemic-related expenditures, and while he must work in person for security reasons, strict protocols kept us safe when a colleague tested positive. I still felt a twinge of guilt about being in proximity to the virus, which illustrates the burden of pandemic-related stigma.
Shame is not an effective motivator. History shows us that shame doesn’t inspire change; it only perpetuates feelings of guilt and isolation. Whether it’s obesity, addiction, or mental health issues, stigma has never been a powerful deterrent. The same applies to COVID-19.
Despite how frustrating it may feel, we must extend empathy to everyone, regardless of how they contracted the virus. Public health experts agree that judgment and scorn will not help us control this epidemic. Dr. Abraar Karan emphasized that if our response to infection is negative, we will ultimately fail to contain the virus. The virus doesn’t care about our feelings toward one another; what matters is our collective action to stop it.
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In summary, it’s crucial to foster an environment where individuals feel comfortable being honest about their COVID-19 status. The stigma surrounding the virus does not help control its spread; rather, it breeds fear and dishonesty. We must remember that empathy is essential, regardless of how someone contracted the virus, to effectively combat this pandemic.
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