Social Stigma: The Hidden Threat of COVID-19

Front Public Health. 2020 Aug 28:8:429. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00429. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

COVID-19 infection has been recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Efforts to prevent the spread of the disease are threatened by the appearance of disease-associated social stigma in society. In Egypt, a small wave of stigma directed at different groups started to appear. Here we report the features of COVID-19-associated stigma in Egypt and suggest recommendations to overcome this stigma before it grows and have physical and psychological impacts on society.

Keywords: COVID-19; Egypt; pandemic; social stigma; spread.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Durable Medical Equipment
  • Egypt / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Social Stigma