Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITHOUT TOUCHING



BY ANASUYA DASGUPTA
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With the outbreak of the COVID-19,  there has been  an unprecedented augment in the amount of cases which has led to a lot of anxiety among people. There have been a lot of social media posts on quarantining being the need of the hour.  In the current situation where we are acquainting ourselves with the word “social distancing”, people are staying away from those who have been tested positive for COVID-19. Such victims are being subjected to a lot of verbal and emotional abuse, where they are being blamed and boycotted. They also experience a lot of loneliness as a result of being abandoned by their close friends, relatives and acquaintances after they are diagnosed. Such a vitriolic behaviour adds to their psychological distress, when they are battling for their life. 

While physical health is being a huge matter of concern for the masses, mental health is also being a matter of speculation during this pandemic. A lot of articles have come up with guru mantras on how to be productive during self-quarantining. Various mental health professionals have also come up with tips for clients with anxiety disorders on how to stay calm during this phase. However it is also important to understand the emotional plight of the victims and help them deal with it so much so that it doesn’t become an additional problem for them.
This kind of distress is not only onto the victims themselves, but also family members. I know a friend who is constantly distressed about his mother getting the virus, since he feels she is quite old and vulnerable. Hence this blog is not just about maintaining a proper mental health for your oneself but also for your own family members or friends’ family members during the this time of global crisis.

According to Stephen Porges who developed the Polyvagal Theory, there is another magical neural pathway apart from the activating and the relaxing ones; this is called Social Engagement system. This system can do both the tasks together. Engaging in social interactions with close ones can also produce a calming response in our body. This principle can be applied for the victims who are being subjected to emotional distress. Below are some ways we, as “asymptomatic” individuals can ensure during this self-quarantine phase for our loved ones battling against coronavirus:

1. Convey empathy: It is important that whenever you interact with your victim friends to try and empathise with the physical and mental battle that they are facing. A validating environment can be provided to help them feel comfortable and produce the calming response. Empathy should not only be conveyed to the victims but also to the family members or friends of the victims.
2. Discuss about their distress: The victims might feel a sense of guilt of how this illness is taking a toll onto their familial interactions and their functioning. Certain victims might be fearful of the consequences that they would be facing as a result of spreading the virus or they do not want to be quarantined because of the familial and social abashment and the treatment expenditure. It is important to make them understand the importance of taking precautions and how getting away from quarantining might deteriorate the situations. Along with empathy, it is also important to address how they attribute the distress associated with their illness. Elderly victims may experience anxiety related to death, in addition to guilt. Hence it is important to provide an environment of unconditional positive regard where you don’t judge them or blame them, rather acknowledge their feelings and help them focus on the future precautions that they can take. 
3. Make the victim understand physical boundaries: While you convey empathy, it is important to explain the precautions that not only have to take but also that they have to take to prevent further emanation of the virus. The boundaries should be explained along with empathy and prudence and not being too harsh.
4. Educate family members about physical boundaries: It is also important to explain the family members to maintain safety and maintain precautionary boundaries with their affected near and dear ones.
5. Make “get well soon” greeting cards or send flowers: As a gesture of hospitality, you can send online greeting cards to them and their family members or send chocolates or flowers via delivery services without really going to them personally. Even a simple text message would work in case you don’t have the amenities for flowers or greeting cards. You can also send them your favourite music playlist. This will definitely make them go “aww”.  
6. Video or skype calling: Keeping an update on their health can be done through video or skype calling. Technology can come really handy during this phase.
7. Talk to your other friends or family members about how you feel: It is quite understandable the amount of distress you would be experiencing, realising that your friend or family member is tested positive for COVID-19. It is important to talk about your distress to your other friend or family members to feel comfortable and not compromise your own mental health. 

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Now before storming onto me, I understand that it is difficult to follow all the seven tips that I have listed but if you start with one, it will not only make the other person happy but also you happy. In a time, where it is difficult to find out a new activity to engage in or pass time every day, self-quarantining can be made productive and happier through this. After all, humans are social animals and in order to ensure healthy physical as well as mental functioning, socialisation is paramount. In this time, where the virus is proudly spreading its troop, let’s pledge to ensure safety in terms of mental and physical health for not only ourselves, but for our well wishers as well as for victims. Stay home and stay safe.

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