COVID-19 or as we all say Coronavirus is an infectious disease which was first discovered in China , Wuhan (the capital of Hubei province). Many people are scared of this virus. Nowadays many people are not only affected physically by this virus but mentally as well. This can be seen in markets where people are starting to now buy as many products as they can carry. For example people who are buying huge amounts of toilet paper, as if they are preparing for a nuclear war. Today this virus is being discussed everywhere; every single country is confronting this pandemic. In view of the pandemic, governments of many countries have taken measures to contain the physical effects of the virus. Besides the fact that we have to reassure ourselves about maintaining physical health (timesofindia.indiatimes.com), we should pay attention to the emotional effects of coronavirus too (learningenglish.voanews.com). Governments of many counties have advised their citizens that if they have returned from a country or a city with red code of Coronavirus they should maintain the self-incubation of 14 days.
How has COVID-19 affected people of working age?
Covid-19 will have far-reaching impacts on society and the global market. The virus is going to affect the world of work in three ways: 1. The quantity of jobs 2. The quality of work and 3. The mental health of the workers.
Covid-19 is a new challenge for humanity. Due to this outbreak, different leaders of countries each began to take action. For example: some governments do not require the public to pay utility bills for the next three months, meaning parents can use their salary for their lockdown period (El Salvador president- Nayib Bukele). Some companies asked their employees to work from home because large gatherings of people are not allowed. However, there are still some workers that have to go to work, which puts their life in danger.
During these times of self isolation, people who are used to working in an office, or with a group of people, their mental health can be affected. Even though they are surrounded by their families, they often feel lonely or depressed. One man wrote “I feel I am going insane, I feel helpless…” -Grigore, event planner.
However, not all companies are supportive of government initiatives. Some companies are in denial about the legitimacy of the virus. This could lead to confusion and frustration among workers: ‘’Every night my father comes from work, he is often stressed and sad, even though he tries to hide it…I am slightly relaxed, but at the same time scared of the situation worldwide. I am also scared for the health of my family and the ones who surround me’’ explains a worker from Moldova.
Teachers from across the world are also very concerned about their students’ health and future:
‘’We have definitely been in a period of denial about the impact of coronavirus in the UK. Even a week ago, the prospect of closing schools seemed unlikely -things have changed so much,so quickly. It's been really hard to see the exams evaporate overnight after all the hard work students have put in and I’m worried about the impact of no school for a long time on all my students’’, Hannah -Strategic Leader of teaching, learning and outcomes, UK.
How has COVID-19 affected school-age children?
We can see that this disease will not pass through so quickly and calmly, let’s see what the emotional effects of the virus are on school-age children.
A 15 year old student in Moldova explains “At first it was exciting but as time passed it got harder and harder to go through because of how lonely and bored you feel sometimes. You miss hanging out with your friends or even going to school”. So, as surprising as it might be, students aren't pleased with the way things are going on now. “The week passed, I’m not even scared anymore, I’m just bored of sitting home and doing nothing. It’s not like in Heritage, in national schools we do almost nothing, at first you think that it’s cool but then I got bored...” explains Alexander, a student from a Moldovan State School. At Heritage, we’re lucky to at least try to get things back to normal as they were before the quarantine by having online lessons. Let's not forget about the students who should've taken their exams this year but can't because of the virus: “Everyone was devastated when we learnt that we wouldn't be going back to school and the exams were cancelled” said one student of Westminster Academy, in West London
(TheGuardian.com).
Although coronavirus causes so many educational problems we still shouldn't panic about it that much, but don't underestimate it either. Students should set an example by staying home and sacrificing things they like to do, for example: school trips,sports days,shows or just seeing our friends everyday. Someone won't have their prom night or just end-of-year celebrations so we should support them so that the situation won't cause any mental problems in future.
How has COVID-19 affected young Children?
In quarantine children don’t have much freedom and young children don’t really understand why they need to stay at home. Children also might experience a lack of communication and feel bored. Teens have many more activities that they could do during quarantine than young children , for example: Facetime some friends or even do online lessons. Kindergarten children, on the other hand, don’t even have or need online lessons. Anyway this isolation affects teenegares too ,because it is really hard not seeing their friends for such a long time and also for students not going to school affects their academic confidence.
Also children can have the virus but they might not have any symptoms of it , and can easily give the virus to older people. That’s why it’s important for children to stay home in quarantine. It can also be dangerous for their own family so it’s recommended for them to check if they have the virus or not. When a child does not go to school their schedule changes and it might be stressful for them. First of all they spend less energy which can lead to bad appetite and sleep. Secondly, they may miss out on valuable learning and social opportunities.
We asked preschool children how they feel. And this is what they said…
‘’I don’t really like staying at home the whole day. I miss my friends from kindergarten. Cartoons and homework this is all what I do. It’s very boring. But I don’t feel depressed or something like that, it’s ok.’’ Alice, 6 year old girl from Moldova.
“I like going to kindergarten but also staying at home. Me and my sister can play the whole day so it’s ok. But I really want to go outside, it makes me sad that we can’t. But when we go to Gagauzia we meet our siblings and spend our time very good.’’ Olya, 9 year old girl from Moldova.
“Awful...because it’s boring staying at home. But I like not getting up at eight o’clock. I play computer games all day. But I feel really sad that my football club is closed. I don't communicate with my friends.’’ When asked if this particular student missed her friends, she replied ‘’no’’. Daniil, 6 year old boy from Moldova.
So as we can see children don’t really suffer from quarantine, maybe because they don’t have such a saturated social life as teenagers for example.
How has COVID-19 affected the older generation?
Are only older people at risk of contracting COVID-19? Everybody is affected by COVID-19 but, unlike younger people, the older generation do not have a strong immune system meaning they are most at risk. That is the reason that the highest rates of death are among the elderly. They also seem to have a higher chance of becoming infected, probably caused by many of them living in nursing homes in close quarters with others. That explains why, even though seniors represent 31% of all cases in America (taken as an example) they account for 80% of all COVID-19 death in America, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a federal agency) reported. This is bad not only because of the lost lives but also because of the emotional effect on the older generation. Now they are not able to meet others and socialise, they may become even more isolated. The media coverage of the coronavirus often states that the older generation are at significant risk of becoming fatally ill from the virus; the elderly may hear this and worry about their friends getting ill and dying. All of this will make for a lot of weight on their shoulders and it may kill their spirit.
The government in many countries has imposed a strict quarantine not allowing people to leave the house, they are only allowed to leave the house to buy groceries. This means that grandchildren are not allowed to visit their grandparents which means they will be lonely. So the older generation mostly rely on the younger generation to help them survive. Another way to help them survive is to sell crops, which they can not do because of COVID-19.
The opinion of a 79 year old lady , and how she has been affected.
One Grandma is very intrigued about the corona virus and deeply affected by it emotionally. She says it ruined her year and she is scared for her family and herself but most importantly about the cousins she has that have returned from Italy. This Grandma is deeply upset by this situation and is taking great interest in the virus and how it can be prevented , such as daily hygiene and a lot of cleaning around the house. She is visibly shaken and shocked by these events but any good news will make her happy and ready to go. Although the quarantine has a lot of impact on her she is strong and is ready to face it. Her opinion is that it can die out if everyone follows government instructions and medical instructions.
Some of the elderly are scared about the virus and become more and more isolated because of it, but others think society can fight through this and become victorious against it.
Hints and tips for getting through this period
In conclusion, we can see that people of different ages, all suffer emotionally from COVID-19. Staying home might really affect your psychological state, so you might want to follow some tips, which may help you. Here are some hints and tips which may help you remain mentally healthy during this period (rkinsurance.com, cdc.gov/coronavirus/ ):
at home and meditate. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, get plenty of sleep, and avoid recreational drugs.
Please stay home, and go outside only for emergency needs, such as going to the grocery store, or the pharmacy. Performing these activities might help you sweep much faster through these hard times, and stay mentally healthy!!!