WHO: Do not refer to people with coronavirus as 'COVID-19 cases'

The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 12 released an article where they presented a tip on how to reduce the stigma of the pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In WHO's 'Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak' article, it addressed the general population to defer from calling the people affected by the novel coronavirus disease as “COVID-19 cases.”

Terms like “victims”, “COVID-19 families”, or the “diseased” were also discouraged as it could present the same negative effect on the affected persons.

According to WHO, it is better to refer to them as “people who have COVID-19”, “people who are being treated for COVID19”, or “people who are recovering from COVID-19.”

WHO reminds everyone that, “after recovering from COVID-19, their life will go on with their jobs, families and loved ones.

“It is important to separate a person from having an identity defined by COVID-19, to reduce stigma.”

In the same article, the World Health Organization presented other guidelines on how to support our mental and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak. You may read it here.

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