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“Stigma hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger toward ordinary people instead of focusing on the disease that is causing the problem. Stigma can also make people more likely to hide symptoms or illness, keep them from seeking health care immediately, and prevent individuals from adopting healthy behaviors. This means that stigma can make it more difficult to control the spread of an outbreak.” –Centers for Disease Control

The Los Angeles Times recently called out the “COVID shaming” of recovered patients: “Imagine contracting COVID-19 and enduring the symptoms: fever, coughing, breathing issues and, in severe cases, hospitalization. Imagine being totally isolated from family and friends to protect them. Now imagine — after you’ve faced down this deadly disease and survived — being stigmatized, excluded and even targeted because people suspect you might still be contagious.”

It’s not just recovered patients, either: “Some people have been shunned because they belong to a particular group; for instance, ‘people of Asian descent have been treated with suspicion and blamed for COVID-19, even though they’re no more likely to spread the virus than is the general population,’ the Mayo Clinic says. Healthcare workers, emergency responders, people with underlying health conditions that exhibit symptoms associated with the disease (such as coughing) and homeless people have reported social exclusion as well.”

The message to #BeStigmaFree is especially pertinent right now. Fear of stigma is hindering contact tracing, as people hesitate to disclose contacts, thinking it could affect their job, housing or family. And in some places, coronavirus stigma leads families to avoid testing entirely.

Remember, everybody is vulnerable, no matter their race, age, gender or ethnicity. If you witness anyone stigmatizing another person based on perceived contagion, mask-wearing or other pandemic-related matters, remind them that we’re all in this together. Spread the message to get informed and #LookBeyond stigma, for everyone’s health and well-being.

For more information and resources for mental wellness, visit our pandemic recovery page, Refocus, Reconnect, Recover.