COVID-19 stigmatization: People needing health care find it harder than ever to access health services
Violence against people associated with COVID-19 has risen dramatically in various countries across the world since mid-March. ICRC staff have observed stigmatization of COVID-19 patients and health care providers in several countries in the Middle East.
Media reports describe threats, verbal and physical abuse across the region in response to testing, imposed quarantines and burial measures, or based on misinformation and out of fear of the fast-spreading infection. Coupled with the chronic weakening of health systems in countries affected by conflict, these acts of violence have made it increasingly difficult for already vulnerable children, men, and women to access health services.
