Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services officials are urging people to actively combat the social stigma associated with the coronavirus.

The DHHS says that even in areas where possibility for infection is relatively low, the potential for social stigma against certain groups is high. Much of this stigma is focused on Asian or Chinese Americans, people who recently returned from traveling or those with cold or flu symptoms not associated with COVID-19.

Mikayla Johnson, the disaster behavioral health coordinator for the Division of Behavioral Health at the DHHS said that an emotional response to a pandemic is expected, but blaming certain groups creates larger issues.

“Stigma hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem,” Johnson said.

Recommendations to combat the stigma include speaking out about negative behaviors, sharing information that is practical and accurate, and refraining from associating COVID-19 with any particular ethnicity or nationality.