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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Social stigma associated with COVID-19 must stop, says NTF adviser

Social stigma associated with COVID-19 must stop, says NTF adviser

Published Mar 1, 2022 12:57 pm

The social stigma associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is part of health illiteracy and it must stop, National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 special adviser Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa said on Tuesday, March 1.

(File Photo / Manila Bulletin)

According to Herbosa, the social stigma and discriminatory behaviors against people who have contracted COVID-19 has been evident since the beginning of the pandemic and it must stop.

“The stigmatization of the illness is very similar to when syphilis human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were discovered. We should remove that,” said Herbosa in an interview with ANC.

Herbosa likewise stressed that the “stigmatization” of the disease is rampant among the lower socioeconomic class, but lesser among the “educated ones.”

“People become ashamed because of stigmatization. I hear this in the lower socioeconomic class. Sa mga educated ay hindi masyado (Among the educated ones, not so much),” he added.

Meanwhile, Herbosa assured the public that there is no need to be afraid of people who have fully recovered from the disease because they are no longer infectious.

“Dapat ay mawala ‘yan that is part of health illiteracy. ‘Yung parang hindi nila naintindihan why they are castigating someone who has recovered. Someone who has recovered is no longer infectious and that is a fact (It should stop and I think it is part of health illiteracy. People do not know why they are castigating someone who has recovered. Someone who has recovered is no longer infectious and that is a fact),” he added.

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National Task Force Against COVID-19 covid-19 stigma dr. ted herbosa COVID-19 STIGMA
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