Covid 19

A POLICY TO PROTECT TEACHERS AND LEARNERS FROM STIGMATISATION AFTER TESTING POSITVE TO THE COVID-19

Preamble

Covid-19 / Corona virus, like any other communicable disease, is likely to be used as a humiliation to any person who contract it. This policy is therefore designed to protect any person against stigmatization. Knowing very well that all people have the right to dignity. All staff members, School Governing Body and Learners of Moipone English Medium School are obliged and bound by the contents of this policy in order to respect human dignity.

WHY IS COVID-19 CAUSING SO MUCH STIGMA?

Stigma itself worsen the health status of individuals because they will hide in fear of being stigmatized or victimized. As such one can increase number of infections due to direct contact with family, friends and co-workers.

The level of stigma associated with COVID-19 is based on three main factors:

· it is a disease that’s new and for which there are still many unknowns.

· we are often afraid of the unknown; and

· it is easy to associate that fear with others.

With community transmission now present in South Africa, everyone has to take extra care to follow the preventive steps that lower the risk of spread and transmission of COVID-19.

We do the simple act of

· Washing our hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds.

· Then we are encouraged to keep a distance of at least one meter, not travel internationally and locally, if need be.

· and not join in on activities where there are a crowd of people.

· To use face mask when going out to public,

· Not to touch or hug each other,

· Coughing inside your clothes or use a tissue paper and discard it in the dustbin.

· Seeing the doctor when you feel sick.

· Taking the vaccine.

1. PREVENTION OF COVID-19 STIGMATISATION

1.1 Addressing the fear, to avoid stigma – discrimination.

Fear can create stigma, shame or discrimination around illnesses. In this case, contracting or being diagnosed with COVID-19. while fear can sometimes bring people together, it also makes matters worse than they must be, when there is stigma or discrimination.

How does stigma make things worse?

With the steps our country is taking, there is an attempt to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. But, when someone feels scared, humiliated or not accepted, that can make them hide their symptoms or illness. This means they do not receive the right medical care, follow good health habits or take the recommended actions to self-isolate. Given the highly contagious nature of the COVID-19 virus, this can have dire consequences for everyone.

1.2 How can we overcome this fear and prevent discrimination?

It’s vital to understand how COVID-19 spreads and that everyone is at risk, not just certain people. Always know the latest facts and keep following the necessary steps that consider the good health of everyone. Each of us has a social responsibility. We need to follow the rules our country has in place and help educate and enable all people to protect their health by accessing health services and advice. And we need to have empathy in the way we interact with others. It comes down to not making people feel like they have done something wrong. The COVID-19 virus does not discriminate, and neither should we.

Preventing Stigma

Everyone in the school environment is encouraged to do the following:

· Supporting Someone with COVID-19 Symptoms, or who is in Quarantine or Self-Isolation

· Be a part of the solution. Correct misinformation, challenge myths, and show empathy.

· Keep in regular contact with the individual through phone calls, video chats, etc.

· Acknowledge the impact on the team, productivity, and morale.

· Address fears and concerns.

· Offer to support them or their caregivers: Arrange for food or essential supplies to be delivered to them

· Maintain privacy and confidentiality of those seeking healthcare and those who may be part of any contact investigation.

· Quickly communicate the risk or lack of risk from associations with products, people, and places.

· Raise awareness about COVID-19 without increasing fear.

· Share accurate information about how the virus spreads.

· Speak out against negative behaviours, including negative statements on social media about groups of people, or exclusion of people who pose no risk from regular activities.

· Be cautious about the images that are shared. Make sure they do not reinforce stereotypes.

· Engage with stigmatized groups in person and through media channels including news media and social media.

· Share the need for social support for people who are affected by COVID-19.

1.3 Making everyone feel safe and free from stigma.

Treating someone differently because they developed COVID-19 is a form of discrimination that we must guard against. In this light, it is important that Moipone English Medium School not only manage and reduce risk of transmission or allow for recovery among employees and learners and SGB, but also protect them against discrimination. When you need to determine the risk of employees and learners becoming sick with COVID-19, never base this risk on race, gender, their country of origin or the city they live in. As with any other health condition, the details of an employee and learner’s health is confidential.

The School Management Team must make others aware of an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 virus, it’s vital to ensure complete confidentiality about people diagnosed with COVID-19.

1.4 Avoid stigma and discrimination in the school:

· Make sure everyone follows hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Create an environment where everyone is aware and see it as a responsibility to monitor symptoms.

· If an employee or a learner meets the risk assessment criteria of “close contact” and is then diagnosed with COVID-19, discreetly assess the risk among other people to see who came in “close contact” and could be at risk.

· Actively encourage those who are sick to work from home or to stay home and not work.

· If someone has a sick family member, keep it private, and monitor risk and symptoms in a way that works for everyone.

· It’s easy for people to be labelled or to be separated in matters of health. This simply makes matters worse. Let’s make sure everyone is aware of the behaviours that prevent contracting and spreading the COVID-19 virus, and that no one is treated differently – besides the recommended social distancing, of course.

· Ensure that the school support measures are available to all, without discrimination, and that all workers and learners know, understand, and are comfortable with them.

· Encourage workers and learners to seek appropriate medical care and support those coping with stress.

2. EDUCATION

Everyone can help stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing the facts and sharing them with others in your community.

Know the facts:

· Diseases (including COVID-19) can make anyone sick, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

· Someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation is not a source of infection to other people.

· There are steps everyone can take to protect themselves and others.

· Raise awareness about COVID-19 without increasing fear.

· Share accurate information about how the virus spreads.

· Speak out against negative behaviours, including negative statements on social media about groups of people, or exclusion of people who pose no risk from regular activities.

· Engage with stigmatized groups in person and through media channels including news media and social media.

· Share the need for social support for people who are affected by COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

DO YOUR PART AND SAFE THE NATION

Everyone has an important role to play in preventing and stopping stigma surrounding people in general. We all need to be intentional and thoughtful when communicating on social media and other communication platforms, showing supportive behaviours around the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

COVID-19 is real, we should all take responsibility to protect our children, ourselves and elderly society.