Stigma during COVID-19 pandemic The role of infodemic as a key driver

Abstract

The creation and dissemination of COVID-19 stigma can damage efforts exhibited to prevent and counter the spread of the virus. A basic factor that triggers COVID 19 stigma is infodemic. It seems also that stigma and infodemic in the time of COVID-19 pandemic are interrelated to each other and work together. The new front in the COVID-19 battle should be therefore fighting stigma and infodemic driving it given that their impact can be very detrimental and long-lasting without suitable social measures needed to empower and support the vulnerable populations during such a global pandemic. Based on some selected literature and research conducted during the outbreak period of the coronavirus pandemic, the current article sheds light on this topic by focusing on the following points: 1). Definition of Stigma and relevant terms; 2). Victims of social stigma during the COVID 19 Pandemic; 3). Consequences of COVID 19-related Stigma; 4). Infodemic as a key driver of COVID 19-related Stigma; 5). Guidelines to fight stigma and infodemic during COVID-19 pandemic.