IN these stressful times brought about by the pandemic, the default reaction is self-preservation or avoiding the virus at all costs. Fear and anxiety, however, can lead to social stigma toward people in the frontline of our battle against Covid-19. For example, the tales of harassment and discrimination against our health-care workers are getting ugly.
On March 28, a hospital in Sultan Kudarat called for justice after five people attacked one of its personnel on his way home, splattering bleach all over his face. Fortunately, he was able to seek immediate treatment at the hospital.
In Cebu City, two unidentified men on board a motorcycle splashed chlorine on a male nurse who was also on his way home. He was unhurt, but now he fears for his safety.
Health workers in Iloilo and Negros Occidental, including doctors, nurses and hospital janitors, were refused services in eateries, denied rides in buses, or were asked to vacate their apartments.
In Quezon City, a nurse working at the East Avenue Medical Center was kicked out from an apartment she was renting due to her neighbors’ fears of potential contamination.
In Bataan, hospital security guards and nurses were evicted from their rented houses because the owners feared that these health workers would infect them.
In Mariveles, residents put up barricades to contain health workers and other hospital staff following the announcement that a patient with coronavirus symptoms died in said hospital.
These incidents prompted the Department of Health (DOH) to issue a statement condemning the discrimination and harassment against medical workers: “We denounce the acts of physical, harassment and discrimination committed against our fellow health-care workers. These acts cannot be tolerated. We appeal to the public to extend understanding and compassion to our health-care workers, who have responded to our country’s need with dedication, courage and selflessness. This is not the time for us to turn our backs on them.”
These incidents angered President Duterte, who ordered the police to go after those who harass health workers. He said those who harm or discriminate against medical workers will face the full might of the law.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a press briefing: “Despite all the support and love our country has shown our health workers, it is unfortunate that we have received reports that these frontliners have come under attack. To address this, Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa has directed all local police units to provide every possible assistance and security to medical staff and health workers.”
Although public campaigns calling for support for heroic doctors and nurses have gained momentum in the Philippines and in other countries, and the World Health Organization has said their safety is paramount, it is painful to see some of them being subjected to hostility, as if they created the Covid-19.
Some of us find it hard to stay home. Our doctors, nurses and other frontliners don’t have the luxury of holing up in their homes to shield themselves from the deadly virus. They have to expose themselves to the risk of contracting Covid-19 and, sadly, we have lost a number of them to the virus.
As we recognize our frontline medical workers, however, let’s not forget the people doing backline support—grocery and food delivery workers, garbage men, bank employees, police and barangay workers, LGU volunteers and others who are also exposing themselves to the same risk in order to serve our needs.
At a time when hospitals and other health-care facilities are in danger of being overwhelmed, the best thing we can do for our burned out doctors and nurses is to protect them from all forms of discrimination, harassment, or assault. Let’s do the same for our backline soldiers in our fight against Covid-19. There is no better way to express our gratitude to our frontliners and backliners than giving them all the support they need to do their jobs well and stay alive.