COVID-19 and Shame

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This open access book explores how shame and stigma became central to the UK's public health response to COVID-19 in 2020, highlighting the urgent need for "shame sensitive" public health interventions. As the pandemic unfolded, UK government actions often amplified experiences of shame and stigma rather than alleviating them. Incidents such as healthcare workers facing insults and the online shaming of individuals labeled "Covidiots" illustrate how public frustration found scapegoats. Instead of implementing strategies to address the harmful effects of such behavior, government policies and rhetoric intensified feelings of shame, fostering antagonistic attitudes while obscuring its own accountability. Through case studies on topics like 'fat shaming,' the term 'covidiots,' and racial profiling, the book reveals a systemic failure to manage stigma and shame in four critical areas: healthcare, social interactions, domestic life, and political decision-making. The open access edition is available under a CC BY 4.0 licence on www.bloomsburycollections.com, funded by The Wellcome Trust.