As of 12 August, more than 746,000 had died from the pandemic and about 20.5 million people around the world had contracted it. There are no statistics on people who have suffered from stigma and misinformation. However, according to United Nations Secretary-General António Gueterres, “as Covid-19 spreads, a tsunami of misinformation, hate, scapegoating and scare-mongering has been unleashed.
“Among other negative consequences,” the UN diplomats explained in a statement, “Covid-19 has created conditions that enable the spread of disinformation, fake news and doctored videos to foment violence and divide communities.” Lockdowns restrictions have disrupted physical contacts among families, friends and colleagues. In turn, social media has filled the vacuum by accelerating the sharing of information, some in the form of misleading and harmful advice.
How can ordinary citizens counter misinformation? They should use information about Covid-19 from reputable news sources, including the WHO, instead of the unverified stories consumed through social media, where popularity is frequently misconstrued as the truth. In South Africa, the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa has sounded the same alarm against stigma. Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize has declared a war against stigmatizing people who have contracted Covid-19, warning that “if left unchecked, it [stigma] could discourage people from seeking help if they suspect they have contracted the virus.
Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)
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