Feeling Ashamed of Getting COVID? You're Not Alone

01/04/22 • 15 min

1 Listener

At this point, virtually all of us know someone who has had COVID-19, or we’ve gotten it ourselves. There are a lot of reasons for that — the omicron surge, a return to (somewhat) normal life, uneven vaccination. But many people, especially those who feel like they "did everything right," are often left feeling ashamed and guilty for contracting an infectious disease. The stigma around getting COVID can push people to keep their positive test results to themselves, which can lead to more infections, exacerbating the public health crisis. Clinical psychologist Dr. Sheehan Fisher explains what drives these feelings of shame, and he offers ways to help with the anxiety that comes with this wave of the pandemic. We also hear from one of our City Cast colleagues in Pittsburgh who got COVID over the holidays in 2020.

Guests: Sheehan Fisher — Professor, Northwestern University

Megan Harris — Senior Producer, City Cast Pittsburgh

Some good news: The documentary "Unapologetic" is streaming all this month on PBS. Check out our interviews with filmmaker Ashley O'Shay and with Bella BAHHS, whose activism is showcased in the film.

Guests: Sheehan Fisher — Professor, Northwestern University

Megan Harris — Senior Producer, City Cast Pittsburgh

Some good news: The documentary "Unapologetic" is streaming all this month on PBS. Check out our interviews with filmmaker Ashley O'Shay and with Bella BAHHS, whose activism is showcased in the film.

Previous Episode

Here We Go Again — Should CPS Students Return to Classrooms?

More than 300,000 public school kids in Chicago are expected back in the classroom today after winter break. Their return comes as the city averages nearly 4,000 COVID cases a day. Before the break, CPS sent testing kits home with about half of the district’s students. But the Chicago Teachers Union and some parents questioned the efficacy of that plan when this image was on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. The union held a virtual town hall Sunday night so members could share their concerns about teaching in person, but CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said last week he’s confident about students returning. Chicago Tribune education reporter Tracy Swartz has the latest on what the next week could look like in the country’s third largest school district.

Guest: Tracy Swartz—Reporter, Chicago Tribune

News:

New Illinois laws enacted in 2022

Next Episode

New Chicago YMCA Leader Says It's More than 'Swim and Gym’

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago has been around for nearly 170 years, and some of that age is showing. The place where you can play basketball, learn to swim, get child care, or even find temporary housing has seen membership decline even before the pandemic. The Y’s new leader, Dorri McWhorter, says the organization needs to ask communities what they need, and be a place where they feel they belong. We talk to McWhorter about her plans for the Y.

Guest: Dorri McWhorter — President and CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Good News:

Where to recycle your Christmas tree

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