I applaud the authorities for jumping back into action in containing the spread following over a year of no local COVID-19 transmissions. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the worst of second wave is all behind us.
However, what I’ve noticed more than anything else is the mounting anxiety surrounding the epidemic. While the response to the vaccination programme has been positive thus far, it is going to take time before we achieve herd immunity. In the meantime, a lot of people are fearful of leaving the house, especially young parents whose primary concern is for their children.
It is understandable that people are scared; until now, there is still much to learn about this coronavirus. With every new variant detected, the back-to-normal aspiration seems more out of reach. The growing uncertainties are causing mental health deterioration in quite a number of people, and as a community, it is an issue that needs to be highlighted. And more importantly, I believe the authorities need to take seriously the residual effect of the pandemic – a chronic state of anxiety – and device a way to deal with the fallout.
We are three weeks into the second wave, and some have already begun to show visible signs of stress. For example, I saw a woman sanitising every item in her trolley as soon as it was handed back to her. Sure, there was a compulsive element to her behaviour, but it was driven by a perfectly justifiable fear of COVID-19.
While I hope that the current outbreak is a short one, should it stretch for another few months, the prolonged stress could lead to chronic anxiety and depression. As such, I urge the authorities to raise awareness on mental health issues related to COVID-19 and set up a support system for public members who need the assistance.
The Conversationalist
