The world is changing, and it’s happening at a pace that is leaving humanity in awe and fear at the same time. With new sicknesses, viruses, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and a general surge in the negative attitude of people towards each other for whatever reason whether it is based on sexism, racism, social or religious beliefs. All of this plays a role in spreading fear, panic, hatred and the emotions of negativity towards each other.

These are the days when everyone is dealing with a war; with himself, with hatred around him, with economic burdens, and with ever-mutating sicknesses. Talking about COVID-19, fear, anxiety, depression, worry, and stress are the most common responses collected by different researches around the world.

This outbreak by this virus in December 2019, soon becoming global pandemic and adversely affected seven continents has infected more than 10 million people worldwide and has disturbed emotionally even more than these. There are above 0.5 million deaths so far, and the meter is increasing day by day. All of this, with lock down, isolation, and social distancing adding to the insult, is leaving humanity in havoc. It is exacerbating the already present mental health problems and is leaving adverse psychiatric effects on remaining. A new experience, especially of a disease like this, with no certified medication and no available vaccine, can cause overwhelming and strong emotions in people. The uncertainty in the times of such calamity is leaving people in grief. The feeling of calmness, comfort, and stability has long gone due to drastic changes in the daily routines and ways of life. People are facing loss at every level during this pandemic like:

  • They are generally afraid of this disease and mostly are in shock, others in denial too.
  • The very thought of Coronavirus makes them uncomfortable as thinking it is a grim reaper.
  • They are afraid of losing their lives to the disease and thinking about what would happen to their loved ones dependent on them.
  • Young adults and children are especially concerned about the health of their elders and are worried about them getting infected. 
  • People are having the worst nightmares of their lives and cannot sleep and concentrate.
  • Due to the necessary evil, the isolation, people are having periods of sadness, and are entirely distressed.
  • And above all, what’s prolonging this fear and loss is unemployment, or not making enough money in time like this Absence or reduction in support services and health facilities is a primary concern too. 
  • Engaging excessively in social media is itself causing panic and adding to the fear. It has created so many other problems too. 
  • Are we really ready to have this as a normal lifestyle?

Only a few months ago, it was said that all the above-stated factors are making us a more violent society overall rather than turning to show empathy towards each other.

By photocase.com

The recent event of racism and oppression of the right of a Black is the example of that and is the biggest slap on the face of this society which long ago claimed to be racism, sexism, and slavery-free. Although this created a mass feeling of anger in the whole world and led to a movement’ black lives matter’ but still, this is a harsh reality and is the stigma of today. Today we still stand with no clue and fear the unknown about where to turn and how to stand and survive as we only follow the little rules of wearing a mask and washing our hands.

 Is Living in fear the new normal for the world? STAY SAFE.