Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) – As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, so has discrimination against those who come in close contact with the infectious disease.
The Health Department urged the public to stop discrimination against those with COVID-19 symptoms and healthcare workers, as this may discourage people from seeking treatment.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they continue to receive reports of COVID-19 patients and exposed health workers experiencing discrimination and stigma.
“Hindi dapat ito makapekto sa pakitungo sa ibang tao o gawing dahilan upang manakit ng iba,” Vergeire said in a briefing on Sunday.
[Translation: It should not affect the way people treat others or become a reason to hurt others.]
Vergeire reminded the public that no one is immune from the disease, and that discrimination will only encourage fear.
“Mapanganib ang diskriminasyon dulot ng sakit na ito. Maari itong maging dahilan upang itago ng mga tao ang kanilang mga sakit at sintomas at piliing hindi na lamang sila pumunta sa ospital para hindi sila magpagamot,” she said.
[Translation: Discrimination caused by this disease is dangerous. It can cause people to hide their illnesses and symptoms and choose not to go to the hospital for treatment.]
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) also denounced “in the strongest terms” the discrimination against healthcare workers, suspected carriers of coronavirus disease and COVID-19 patients and overseas Filipino workers.
IATF spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the task force will not hesitate to deal with them “criminally, civilly and or administratively” once it is proven perpetrators treated these said people unjustly.
READ: Task force cracks down on all forms of discrimination related to COVID-19
During the Health briefing on Sunday, Vergeire told the public to stay at home, observe proper hygiene and practice physical distancing, especially if there are senior citizens and sickly individuals in the house.
