Virus rages in Meerut, and so does stigma

Even as the pandemic becomes part of the world’s daily life and more people catch the virus, the stigma of being COVID-19 positive is also on the rise.

People testing positive in the city of Meerut say they feel like ‘criminals’ because of the virus, with people shunning even recovered patients.

To make matters worse, once a person tests positive local authorities invariably ask them to self-quarantine and also mark their houses with quarantine stickers that alienate them further.

When the government started sending stranded migrant workers back to their homes in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, local residents barricaded returnees from entering the village, further alleviating workers’ struggles.

India’s official ticker crossed 20 lakh cases earlier this week, with the virus continuing its march in the subcontinent, crossing over into rural areas where healthcare is already in a precarious state.