Explain the understanding and experience of people in the community of stigma in the face of corona disease

Background & Aim: One of the most important aspects of corona disease is the psychological and social spheres. Fear and worry about this disease can lead to social stigma towards people, and even their places of residence. This study was designed to explain the perception and experience of community members of social stigma in the face of coronary heart disease. Methods: This qualitative study with content analysis approach was performed on 21 patients with corona disease, patient companions, non-patients and staff of COVID-19 reference hospitals in Covid 19 reference hospitals in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Sampling was continued without any restrictions until the data were saturated. Text analysis based on content analysis approach was done by setting the initial code, compressing the code in the sub and main classes and finally abstracting more general themes and concepts. The validity of the data was confirmed according to Lincoln and Guba criteria.  Results: From the qualitative analysis of the data, two main categories emerged: "from self-stigma to social stigma" including: Secrecy, Affected person's distance from others, Social rejection, External stigma , "emotional numbness" including: Non-supportive behavior of the medical staff with the affected person, coldness of marital relations following the infection of one of the spouses, unemotional behavior of the family with the affected person and the final theme of "corona stigma more destructive than corona disease",. Conclusion: Fear of being in the community, isolation, unemotional reactions and stigma are in the circle of the Corona label. Trying to maintain a physical distance should not lead to an emotional or human distance between us and others.