STIGMA AGAINST COVID-19 PATIENTS: INTERPRETATION OF JOB SUFFERING AMID THE PANDEMIC

Abstract

The stigma of society towards patients and former sufferers of Covid-19 continues to occur. Stories of suicide due to social stress depression demonstrate the importance of psychological and social concern. This paper aims to contribute to the face of the pandemic and post-pandemic by analyzed people's attitudes towards Covid-19 sufferers. As well as lifting the story of Job's suffering in the Bible of a true but suffering person, as a spiritual part of his religious role in the midst of a pandemic. Using qualitative research to evaluate people's views on Covid-19 sufferers. Then dialogue through hermeneutics the story of Job's suffering, raised theological meaning, then contextualized in the pandemic. The study of interpretation in the book of Job is also important for reconstructing the wisdom of retribution against the stigma of suffering, especially in the Old Testament. Apart from the thought that life is under God's control, this paper also wants to answer the issue that says corona sufferers violate various dogma rules so that they are punished by God. This research resulted in a positive response from participants towards Covid-19 sufferers. By giving attention and encouragement to face the pandemic. The high level of concern of the participants if there were corona sufferers around them, the majority of participants refused to stigmatize sufferers. Because most think this pandemic is a natural phenomenon that may occur in life. Thus this research study gives the idea that people's behavior towards Covid-19 sufferers is so important. As well as recommending the importance of public awareness not to stigmatize patients or those who have suffered from Covid-19. Because of the mimetic tendency of society to stigmatize the times like the story of Job. This understanding is crucial given the danger that the power of stigma against individuals can lead to death.