Reports from many world regions indicate that COVID-19 positive patients suffer social stigma – hatred, xenophobia, and denial of treatment. This can extend more widely through societies, affecting many who are not infected and accentuating tendencies towards discrimination against specific groups, including religious communities.
 
This is the case in Bangladesh, a country that prides itself on a culture and history of tolerance. News reports indicate rising social stigma and xenophobia. Examples include resistance to burial of people who died from COVID-19 in cemeteries, lobbying against admitting COVID-19 suspected patients to hospitals, opposition to quarantine centers, and avoiding contact with health personnel who treat COVID-19 patients. Fear is highlighted by some as a parallel pandemic. It is linked to what some term an "infodemic," including both false information and messages that encourage discrimination and hate.
 
Hate speech, especially on social media, is a worrying trend, and with the COVID-19 crisis it is increasing. A UNDP Bangladesh weekly report based on the findings of its Rumor and Intolerance Monitor showed recently that 46 percent of the randomly selected social media posts contain verbal attacks on vulnerable groups. Social research on COVID-19 led by youths underway at nine public universities highlighted hate speech and social stigma. Awami League, the ruling party, recently launched an online campaign against the COVID-19 infodemic, and the Bangladesh Institute for Information Literacy and Sustainable Development (BIILSD) is conducting a study on the COVID-19 infodemic. BIILSD's research will focus on misinformation and the crisis of communication during COVID-19.

(Based on: March 26, 2020, Business Standard article; April 25, 2020, Independent article; May 2, 2020, UNDP report; May 3, 2020, Centre for Research and Information article; Bangladesh Institute for Information Literacy and Sustainable Development website; and Brac Institute of Governance and Development webinar.)