COVID-19 Pandemisinin Toplumsal Etkileri: Zenofobik Eğilimler ve Sonuçları

Öz

Koronavirüs hastalığı-19 (COVID-19) pandemisi sürecinde, toplumlarda çeşitli alanlarda sorunlar yaşanmıştır. Özellikle sağlık ve ekonomi alanındaki sorunlar önemli noktalara ulaşmış ve bu alanlardaki çalışmalar yoğunlaşmıştır. Öte yandan pandeminin toplumda bireyler arasında psikososyal sorunları da artırdığı görülmüştür. Virüsün yayılmasıyla birlikte insanların yaşam koşulları değişmiştir. Alınan fiziksel mesafe önlemleri kapsamında yaşamları kısıtlanmış ve bu durum çeşitli psikolojik sorunların ortaya çıkmasına neden olmuştur. Yaşam koşullarındaki olumsuzluklar ve maruz kalınan sorunlar, insanları günah keçisi aramaya yönlendirmiştir. Sonuç olarak toplumda yabancı olarak değerlendirilen göçmenlere yönelik olumsuz tutumlar yaygınlaşmaya başlamıştır. Yabancılara karşı korku, nefret ve ön yargı olarak değerlendirilen zenofobi artmıştır. Mevcut çalışmada COVID-19 pandemisi sürecinde zenofobik eğilimlere yol açan faktörler, zenofobik eğilimlerin etkileri ve zenofobik eğilimleri önlemeye yönelik çeşitli adımların değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla ilgili literatür gözden geçirilmiştir. Toplumda zenofobik eğilimlerin yaygınlaşması, sosyal uyumun sağlanması konusunda önemli bir risk olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Bu nedenle zenofobik eğilimlerin önlenmesi gerekmektedir. Bu kapsamda pandemi sürecinde göçmenlere dair asılsız bilgilerin ve ön yargıların önüne geçilmesi için gerekli adımlar atılmalıdır. Özellikle medyanın ve politikacıların etkisi dikkate alınmalıdır. Göçmenlerin yaşadığı sosyal ve ekonomik eşitsizlikler giderilmelidir. Toplumdaki sosyal ve adli kurumlara, eğitim ve sağlık hizmeti sunan kuruluşlara erişimleri kolaylaştırılmalıdır. Zenofobik eğilimlerin göçmenler üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini azaltmak için etkin ruh sağlığı hizmeti sunulmalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• COVID-19
• göçmenler
• zenofobi
• pandemi

Social Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Xenophobic Tendency and Their Consequences

Abstract

The Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic process caused problems in various fields in societies. Particularly the problems in the field of health and economy reached a certain point, and studies in these areas have intensified. In addition, the pandemic also increased psychosocial problems among individuals in the society. With the spread of the virus, people’s living conditions changed. Their lives were restricted due to the physical distancing measures taken, and this led to the occurrence of various psychological problems. The negativities in their living conditions and the problems they are exposed to led people to look for scapegoats. Therefore, negative attitudes towards migrants who are regarded as foreigners began to spread in the society. Considered as fear, hatred and prejudice towards foreigners, xenophobia increased. In the present study, it is aimed to evaluate the factors that lead to xenophobic tendencies, the effects of xenophobic tendencies and various steps to prevent xenophobic tendencies during the COVID-19 pandemic process. In this regard, the relevant literature has been reviewed. The spread of xenophobic tendencies in the society is seen as an important risk in ensuring social cohesion. Thus, xenophobic tendencies should be prevented. As such, necessary steps should be taken to prevent unfounded information and prejudices about migrants during the pandemic process. Particular attention should be paid to the influence of the media and politicians. Social and economic inequalities experienced by migrants should be eliminated. Their access to social and judicial institutions, and educational and healthcare establishment in the society should be facilitated. Effective mental health services should be provided in order to reduce the negative impacts of xenophobic tendencies on migrants.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• migrants
• xenophobia
• pandemic

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