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Only the lazy do not write about the coronavirus today. Here we are not too lazy. But not to scare you again. The panic had already reached its climax. We, on the contrary, want to tell you how to keep calm in this difficult time for the whole world.
There is also good news
It seems that every day brings worse news than the previous one. The cause for concern is justified, but there are also grounds for hope and optimism. Here are a few of them:
The epidemic is on the decline. Where the outbreak began, strict bans are already being lifted, and isolated new cases have been “brought in by travelers.” First of all, it is worth looking at China: Wuhan solemnly opens after 76 days of quarantine. The positive data of the last week came from Italy and Spain: the number of severe cases and deaths are decreasing. Germany and South Korea do show a successful example of containing a disease with low mortality. The experience of these countries shows that we too can cope.
Most people recover. Some have no symptoms at all. Although the mortality rate is higher than with seasonal flu, experts estimate that 99% of people will recover safely. The loss of every life is a terrible tragedy, but if we stick to the bare numbers, some infectious diseases known to us have more catastrophic consequences. For example, the Ebola virus with a mortality rate of up to 70%. Brothers COVID-19 from the group of coronaviruses MERS and SARS claim 34 and 11% of lives, respectively.
The pandemic is a step forward. The pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of healthcare systems around the world. This forced the “tops” to pay attention and quickly react to the insufficient equipment and funding of hospitals, and the lack of staff. Not only doctors, but also politicians unite, share experience and exchange information. The world has rallied, games and feuds are forgotten. The threat unites us. As we socially distance ourselves, we paradoxically become closer—spend more time with family, worry about loved ones, and try to help each other.
Where does the panic come from?
When the risk is overestimated, the situation may be perceived as extreme. This leads to cases where people are ignorant and behave in extremely selfish ways, such as unnecessarily overpricing goods. To date, the panic in the headlines has long gone beyond jokes about the shortage of toilet paper. You don’t have to be an expert to understand the impact of the economic risks of the COVID-19 outbreak – everyone has already experienced them. The loss of work, the inaccessibility of many urban systems provokes a natural uncertainty about the future. Anxiety triggered by economic and social damage spreads faster than a virus.
Panic arises not only from a misperception of the situation, but also from the fact that people feel the absence of escape routes due to lockdowns and quarantines. More and more restrictions continue to be introduced. The coronavirus outbreak has forced everyone to radically change their lifestyle. Almost all people are isolated, limiting social contacts. Pauses in the public and professional sphere are enough for someone to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Uncertainty lies ahead: no one knows when the epidemic will end and with what losses. This creates even more serious problems for people who experienced anxiety or depressive symptoms before the pandemic.
Social distancing measures aim to limit the spread of COVID-19 by reducing physical contact between people. There is evidence that these measures work. We would even dare to call it the only available tool to contain a new wave of infection. There is no vaccine, and an effective treatment strategy has not yet been developed. The main threat of Covid-19 is that it can overload the healthcare system to such an extent that not only patients with coronavirus, but also the rest, will not be able to receive proper medical care.
As you know, coronavirus is primarily dangerous for the elderly – they were isolated first. Even young people with chronic diseases have been hit second. Man is a social species. We survived thanks to fellowship and mutual assistance – family, tribe, communities. While self-isolation can save lives, it will cause and exacerbate other problems.
The impact of loneliness on health is not a new topic.
We know that isolation allows your creative talents to come out. Allows you to think clearly, focus without distraction. In addition, this is a great opportunity to understand your inner world and be more aware of your thoughts and feelings.
On the other hand, it is clear that people who have become lonely due to separation from friends or family, retirement, loss of mobility and lack of transport are at particular risk. According to the American Heart Association, too long a lack of contact with a person can literally break your heart – the risk of death of lonely people with heart failure is 3,5 times higher than their socially active peers. This makes isolated loners more vulnerable to some infectious diseases, including coronavirus.
Loneliness also changes our brains. Studies show that the brains of lonely people are biochemically and structurally different. The longer you feel isolated, the more permanent these changes become. Isolation stress is a major risk factor for neuropsychiatric problems such as depressive and anxiety disorders, including worsening panic attacks.
Particularly vulnerable are people with pre-existing mental and cognitive (cognitive) impairments due to various vascular and brain diseases. So, at the Institute of Health and Aging, researchers calculated that a third of older people with cognitive impairments live alone and cannot manage household chores and navigate the service system alone. Also, they cannot track the deterioration in their health and take medicines on time.
What to do? How to avoid consequences?
1. Is it hard to stay calm in the face of seething hysteria? Just change the channel
The best way to succumb to panic is to read the rumors and fake news that are spreading quickly in society and social media. Coronavirus is now the most “hot” topic in the media and there is no shortage of truthful and up-to-date information. It is extremely important to follow reliable, authoritative sources. This may be the website of the World Health Organization (WHO), or the page of the operational headquarters for infection control and monitoring in your city. Reliable information about the coronavirus can be provided by doctors and scientists in this field.
2. It’s time for a hobby
If you work remotely, it is important to stick to the work schedule, and devote the free time to yourself and your family. If work is unavailable for any reason, new ways to spend time at home need to be found. A new hobby requires learning new skills, which are an important way to keep your mind sharp. This kind of exercise is good for both your physical and mental health. Right now, when anxiety is high, doing what you love can be a good way to deal with stress. In addition, a hobby will allow you to communicate more – you can make new acquaintances on thematic forums.
3. Health is the last thing to give up voluntarily
It may seem obvious, but if you are stuck within the confines of your home, this is no reason to refuse to take care of your health. You can’t go to the gym or take long walks in the fresh air, but a few exercise videos from the many programs on YouTube are enough for anyone.
In no case do not stop yourself taking medications and the course of treatment that has begun. This is especially important for patients with cardiovascular disease. It is important to continue rehabilitation activities for those who have had a stroke. Do not give up drugs that reduce blood pressure and drugs that improve blood flow to the heart and brain.
Nootropics are a special group of drugs. Acting through different mechanisms, they can significantly improve the functioning of the brain.
What is very important for self-isolated people is that nootropic drugs can improve memory, attention, improve mood, reduce fatigue, and help recover those who have already had a cold or a viral disease. The drugs of these groups can be used together with other drugs to prevent exacerbations of chronic diseases and support immunity.
Some of the nootropics have several positive effects at once. Thus, the drug Cortexin increases resistance to stress, protects neurons from damage, has an anticonvulsant effect, and helps to quickly restore the functions of the central nervous system after stress. It also protects brain tissue from the toxic effects of other drugs, which are usually prescribed a lot for chronic diseases. Cortexin was created at the Department of the Military Medical Academy in St. Petersburg and has since passed many scientific tests. Its effectiveness has been substantiated in a variety of acute and chronic diseases: after a stroke, sleep disorders, and even a decrease in depressive symptoms due to mild anxiety relief and a comprehensive restoration of nerve cells. This is a great support and prevention option. Therefore, if you are undergoing course treatment with drugs such as Cortexin, it is important not to stop taking it at this difficult time.