MEDIA RELEASE
NO EMBARGO
Date: 14 July 2020
Let’s stop the stigma: United, we’ll win the war against Covid-19
The City of Johannesburg has entered unchartered waters as the number of positive cases of Covid-19 continues to rise unabated.
In the City, we have already lost six officials to the pandemic. Scientists are forecasting that Gauteng will hit a peak during these bitterly cold months and we urge every one to practice good hygiene, observe physical distancing and sanitise often.
A cure for Covid-19 has not been found yet and pharmaceutical companies are working round the clock to produce a vaccine. Estimates suggest that the world will get a vaccine towards the end of 2021.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Geoffery Makhubo, has urged City officials not to stigmatise their colleagues as the fight against the pandemic intensifies.
“Our colleagues, friends, relatives, and family who have tested positive for Covid-19 are still our friends and workmates. We should not shun them or treat them like lepers. Just as we fought to destigmatise HIV/Aids, the same should happen around the coronavirus,” says Mayor Makhubo.
Evidence shows that stigma leads to reduction in the number of people seeking medical care or testing and fewer people adhering to interventions, including self-isolation. This lead to cases not being reported and more people being exposed to the virus, which will be a huge setback to our outbreak response.
The City urges resident to equip themselves with factual information from reliable sources which will place them in a better position to care and support their loved ones exposed to Covid-19.
“My years in the liberation struggle have taught me that only when we’re united can we defeat the enemy. We will win the war against the novel coronavirus. We might lose battles along the way, but we need to face the enemy together and present a united front,” adds Mayor Makhubo.
You can interrupt stigma by sharing accurate information from reputable sources such as the World Health Organisation, the National Department of Health, National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the City’s online platforms.
Here are some facts about Covid-19:
Fiction Fact
Corona is a Chinese disease Anyone can be infected
You may contract Covid-19 from people who have recovered from the virus People who have recovered from Covid-19 are not contagious and do not transmit the virus
Testing positive for the coronavirus means you are going to die Most people recover from the disease without needing treatment. Statistics show that only 1.6% of people who contract the disease die.
ENDS
Issued by the City of Joburg
For enquiries, kindly send to mediaqueries@joburg.org.za
Nthatisi Modingoane
Deputy Director: Media Relations
City of Johannesburg
Tel: 011 407 7354
Cell: 082 467 9228
Email: nthatisem@joburg.org.za
