THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 DISCRIMINATION

Photo credit to @witchtropolis

The world we live in had already succumbed to fear of being infected with the novel corona virus otherwise known as the “COVID-19”. The thing is, this type of fear had brought the worst to some people. Rampant discrimination against those who are in the frontlines had been making headlines recently. As a person who sees these attacks unjustified, I am starting to feel wary about how our existing laws are being trampled upon and vehemently ignored. It is quite appalling to hear stories about a senior citizen who was petitioned by his neighbors to be evicted from his own house just because he is suspected of having contracted the virus; or about a nurse who after a long and exhausting hospital duty was suddenly sprayed on by her neighbors with water mixed with chlorine, a clear manifestation of the latter conspiring to disinfect the former. Clearly, these acts do not only show discrimination against fellow citizens but also indicate just how inhumane humans can be when overtaken by the effects of self-isolation and unwarranted fear.

According to Atty. Divina Pedron, the founding member of Volunteer Lawyers Against Discrimination (“VLAD”), discrimination is an act or utterance which causes or tends to cause stigma, disgrace, shame, humiliation, harassment or any other differential treatment that is based on a person’s health status or medical history and his or her profession.

Concomitant to what we are facing today, the said definition may be applied by implication for it means that any person who discriminates against another based on “health-status--- whether or not infected with COVID-19, a person under investigation or monitoring, or a person newly recovered, or based on employment/profession—shall be dealt with criminally, civilly and/or administratively.”

Just like a beacon of hope against discrimination, the VLAD was established. The main purpose of the said group of lawyers is to inform and protect all front-liners and anyone who feels that he or she had experienced discrimination by reason of COVID-19. Since its inception last April 2020, it had assisted more than one hundred (100) individuals through the phone. VLAD initially started with UP Law alumni but subsequently opened its doors to volunteer lawyers from different schools around the country.

While it is comforting that there are groups like VLAD who is willing to make necessary sacrifices just to lend a helping hand, I am of the belief that the local government units (LGUs) must make a move in passing their respective anti-discrimination ordinances and by making a conscious effort in sustaining a community united in fighting the virus and not the people or front-liners who are risking their lives to alleviate our sufferings.

It is imperative for every LGU to remind its own citizens that the fight must be brought against those who lack discipline and those who abuse their authorities in implementing COVID-related laws. Nothing good can come out from declaring war against our front-liners who should have been lauded for their efforts instead of being discriminated against, or against those who had been directly victimized by the pandemic. For if we continue to allow ourselves to swim in fear, stigma and undue discrimination, expect that this war is already lost before we even get the chance to fight it.