ZCZC
BSS-17
COVID-19-STIGMA
Speakers for positive info on social media to remove COVID-19 stigma
DHAKA, May 02, 2020 (BSS) – Speakers at a virtual seminar here today called
for spreading positive news on social platforms to remove fear and stigma
associated with the coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic in Bangladesh.
The speakers made their remarks on live chat through a Webinar on “Rapid
Assessment of Fear and Stigma Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in
Bangladesdriveh” arranged by Bangladesh Health Watch.
Webinar convener Ahmed Mushtaque R Chowdhury conducted it while panel
speakers Dr Shahaduz Zaman of Sussex University, UK, and Prof Sumon Rahman of
University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh presented their concerned assessments
on fear and stigma associated with the coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic in
Bangladesh.
Besides, a total of 81 more participants also joined the webinar
simultaneously.
The speakers said polarization of information happens when various news
spread online and as a result people become confused about all.
They urged media to be more optimistic in publishing coronavirus pandemic
related news so that people cannot be stigmatized.
They suggested publishing news from one trusted source or one definite
place to avoid confusion over coronavirus.
They said information and data of people of all strata, areas and regions
of the country should be collected precisely to identify corona patients.
The speakers said stigma and fear were unfolded during the ongoing pandemic
in the country when people were kept in quarantine or isolation for
coronavirus infection.
They said people of the society started fearing corona affected people,
including quarantined expatriates and neighbors, amid the ongoing pandemic.
However, absolute public safety cannot be ensured during the crisis as the
disease is almost unknown to all till now.
They also called for enforcement of legislation to stop discrimination,
softening the house lock- down process, coordinated and targeted information
dissemination and anti-stigma media campaign.
They called upon all to stand by the government in the present crisis in
the country for combating the coronavirus outbreak.
BSS/ASG/SRH/GA/1615 HRS