THREAD: Let’s talk about fear
Fear is a big issue at present. A certain level of fear can be a good thing. It can lead to positive behavioral change so that people take head of Government advice to help reduce transmission of #COVID19 by social distancing and staying at home #1
Fear is a big issue at present. A certain level of fear can be a good thing. It can lead to positive behavioral change so that people take head of Government advice to help reduce transmission of #COVID19 by social distancing and staying at home #1
On the other hand, fear can lead to mental health problems such as severe anxiety, depression and alcohol problems. It can affect normal day to day functioning and increase stress at work. It can also lead to damaging behaviors such as panic buying that fuels further fear #2
In this time of crisis, the Government and the healthcare professions have a crucial role in managing fear within the population. It’s crucial to strike the right balance, but it’s far from easy. We are already seeing some shocking cases of #COVID19 on the news and SM #3
It’s important to to understand that #COVID19 does affect younger people & can be life threatening. This will have important behavioral effects on younger people who may have thought it won’t effect them. However, images of young people suffering can also spread too much fear #4
We therefore need to understand the concept of publication bias, which is a particular issue on SM, where stories, pictures & videos can go viral, amplifying their impact. Rare events can suddenly seem a common occurrence. This is particularly scary in a viral pandemic #5
Images of fit young people in hospital & stories of young deaths are very frightening and social media amplification increases the anxiety. However, it’s really important to reassure the public that risks to young, fit people remain low. We must remain vigilant, but not panic #6
In order to control fear, it is vital for the authorities to be honest, transparent and open with the public. Distrust feeds fear and will also undermine the efforts to control social distancing and keeping people at home. #7
It’s also important for the public to trust that the Government is handling the crisis well. Fear builds when things go wrong. Being ill-prepared in terms of testing and contract tracing, lacking PPE and ventilators etc doesn’t help. Seeing major action to address this helps #8
We all need to help one another through this. It’s normal to feel anxious & full of dread at times because we are all more aware of our own mortality, and the whole situation is very surreal, which takes us out of our comfort zone. Knowing everyone else feels the same, helps #9
However, the toll on some people will be much heavier than others. Some will lose loved ones, or see them become very ill; some will become ill themselves. Others are losing jobs and livelihoods. That’s why it’s vital that the state supports all of its citizens. #10
State support should come in terms of making the health system as robust as possible, planning to reduce impact of future outbreaks, protecting jobs and incomes, and offering mental health support. We will then get through this crisis and start to worry about something else! #11
