COVID-19 anxiety leading to stigma & discrimination

Morung Express News
Kohima | March 19

As anxiety over the global COVID-19 outbreak continues, discrimination and stigma has also surfaced with cases of people developing seasonal flu being subjected to harsh judgments.  

"Some of the house owners are so worried that if their tenants start coughing and sneezing, they are telling them to leave. Some of the employers are asking their employees to provide them certificates stating that they are not suffering from COVID-19," informed Dr. Nyan Kikon, Nodal Officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). 

He further informed that the helpline number has received several calls from Kohima and Dimapur requesting for medical certificates.

“We are receiving phone calls from people requesting to give them certificate proving that they are not suffering from COVID 19,” said Dr. Kikon.

He informed that certificates cannot be given out since testing cannot be done without the person fulfilling the criteria. He further noted that it has become difficult for foreigners to find places to stay.

“Just because a person is coughing and sneezing does not mean that s/he is suffering from Coronavirus. Stigma and discrimination should not happen. We should have a humane approach,” urged the Nodal Officer.