Just a few months ago, quarantine and the new conditions of social distance were unimaginable for most of the world’s population. Now, isolation, uncertainty, and the loss of former ways of being are a new reality to which one has to adapt. Naturally, we can find in ourselves and loved ones a variety of reactions to what is happening: denial, depreciation, fear of infection, frustration, boredom, anger, and stressful reactions to resources (food, money, housing). Many people may encounter emotional and psychological difficulties during this period, including those who were sufficiently stable before the crisis.
You can respond with a series of “symptoms” to what is happening. Maybe you:
- began to worry more and worry about your health,
- have difficulty sleeping and eating
- problematic fall asleep and out of focus
- experiencing an exacerbation of chronic diseases
- increased the amount of alcohol, nicotine, and other substances consumed.
It is important to note that all the reactions that appear are normal, it is useful to notice them and take appropriate care to yourself and relatives. Man by nature is a social animal. And of course, the loss of habitual social functioning and isolation can cause us anxiety, depression and feelings of helplessness.
The World Health Organization published an appeal to the world population with recommendations regarding the preservation of psychological health. Among them:
- Maintain your social connections. Physical isolation in modern times is not an obstacle to emotional or professional connectedness.
- Call, write to each other, conduct video conferences.
- Try as much as possible to adhere to the personal schedule, structure of the day.
- In stressful moments, pay attention to your needs and feelings.
- Include healthy activities that you like and help you relax in your daily schedule.
- Engage your body, stick to your sleep schedule, take care of food quality.
- A constant powerful flow of news about the dynamics of the virus can contribute to the emergence of anxiety. Select a specific time of day at which you can keep track of WHO news and practice. Avoid rumors and unverified sources of information.
Seeking support in difficult times is normal. If your social structure is not enough to help you stabilize, you can go to an online psychologist or join an online therapeutic group. The European Association of Psychotherapy has published an appeal about supporting the online format of psychotherapy as a quarantine crisis measure.
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The COVID-19 pandemic could have killed 40 million deaths by the end of 2020 in the absence of any preventative measures, according to Imperial College London (UK).
Researchers included a number of scenarios, such as
- What would have happened if the world had not reacted to COVID-19,
- Two scenarios incorporating social distancing, which result in a single-peaked epidemic
- And several scenarios for suppressing the spread of the disease that can have the largest overall impact in terms of reducing disease and deaths.
It is noted that ignoring all security measures would lead to a worse development of the coronavirus epidemic and infection of seven billion people. This number would be halved if the number of contacts had been reduced by 40 percent for children, young people and adults, and 60 percent for older people.
Dr Patrick Walker, an author of the report from Imperial, said: "We estimate that the world faces an unprecedented acute public health emergency in the coming weeks and months. Our findings suggest that all countries face a choice between intensive and costly measures to suppress transmission or risk health systems becoming rapidly overwhelmed. However, our results highlight that rapid, decisive and collective action now will save millions of lives in the next year"
The study shows that poor countries will lose far more people than developed ones. A press release from the British university emphasizes that the problem of COVID-19 is common to all countries on Earth.
The modelling showed that implementing measures early on can have a dramatic impact.
If all countries were to adopt this strategy at 0.2 deaths per 100,000 population per week, 95 per cent of the deaths could be averted, saving 38.7 million lives.
However, if this strategy is adopted later (1.6 deaths per 100,000 population per week), then this figure drops to 30.7 million.
In March, Chinese experts published a study in JAMA Cardiology, which claimed that diseases of the cardiovascular system increases mortality by almost 4.5 times from coronavirus.
The number of cases of coronavirus in the world as of May 13, according to Johns Hopkins University, exceeded 4.2 million. But in some countries, depending on the specific epidemiological situation, the previously introduced restrictions are gradually mitigated. In Europe, quarantine measures were started in April.
In India, after seven weeks of quarantine, rail links partially opened. Flights from several major cities, including New Delhi and Mumbai, became available. Passengers control the temperature, they must treat their hands with a disinfectant when boarding the train and at the end of the trip.
In Germany, people returned to the gyms.
Czech authorities allowed restaurants to open summer verandas.
In Israel, parks were opened and allowed to use outdoor sports equipment while maintaining social distance.
In Bangladesh, some factories, logistics services and shops were allowed to return to work, but with limited working hours.
Schools are gradually returning to work in France: indoors, social distance must be respected, so most children will continue to study remotely.
In Los Angeles were opened walking trails. In crowded places, such as parking, the use of masks is mandatory.
In Switzerland were opened shops, museums and libraries.
Hairdressers opened in Turkey.
In the UK, people were allowed to sunbathe in the parks nearby from housing and to engage in sports without restrictions.
Iranian authorities opened mosques during several holy nights of Ramadan.
In Buenos Aires (Argentina) opened bookstores and children's stores.
In the Australian state of Victoria, people are allowed to meet friends and families. At home, you can receive up to five guests, and walking on the street - in a company consisting of a maximum of ten people.
