The coronavirus pandemic has increased social segregation and this
has proven to be bad particularly for the elderly population. They are unable
to catch up with their children and grandchildren and are finding themselves
extremely lonely. They are the worst affected by the pandemic in terms of
physical as well as emotional health.
THE OLD AGE AND LONELINESS
Old age is a time of loneliness for many people. Usually, people
have lost their partners at that ripe age and depend on their children and
grandchildren for support and to beat the loneliness. Though their younger
family members used to occasionally visit the parents, now with the coronavirus
pandemic this has become difficult due to the risk of the children carrying the
infection to their aged parents and grandparents. So the visits have come down
drastically and the contact remains only on phone or via digital
technology. This though good does not suffice and cannot substitute the
physical visits and the warmth that they bring to the aging people. |
Old age and loneliness [Source: WebMD]
|
There is some good news on that front in the development of
COVID-19 vaccines, but along with it is the second wave and rising infections.
Deaths and hospitalizations are also surging and this has made it more
difficult for them. Corona continues to remain a public health emergency. And
these figures that in the USA are as high as 200k per day could reach 300k by
the yearend, estimates say.
THE SECOND PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC AND LONELINESS
The second wave of the infection as predicted is worse than the
first wave. There are increased cases, increased hospitalizations, increased
deaths, more economic uncertainty and gradually mental health issues are
creeping in greater numbers. Initially, it was thought that things would clear
up soon but now the future is bleak. Studies have revealed that there are
rising cases of anxiety and depression related to the pandemic. Old cases are
reemerging and new cases are getting diagnosed. These are the cases that come
to light but loneliness is a problem that remains unattended to. |
Loneliness and lockdown [Source: Healio]
|
Increasingly, people are feeling the pinch of being alone. There
is a sinking feeling coming in individuals and they are getting gripped by this
new problem of loneliness that never was there before. All age groups are
affected but most are the elderly people. Earlier studies had revealed that loneliness
is a risk factor for premature deaths and it is even worse than obesity, air
pollution, or lack of physical exercises. It is an overlooked problem but is as
dangerous to health as chronic smoking.
AMERICANS AND THE LONELINESS
Studies have revealed that Americans are lonelier for the past
many decades. And now the coronavirus pandemic has further hiked this issue.
Besides older adults, teens, young adults, and low-income class are
particularly affected. The young are unable to date properly and digital dating
does not seem to come to fruition. Nearly one-third of adolescents are facing
this loneliness and things are only getting hard for them. Working people have
lost jobs and contacts with colleagues.
 |
Loneliness on the rise [Source: YouTube]
|
Also, read more on Gabrielle Union and her PTSD
Though therapy for loneliness was possible before the pandemic,
during the COVID-19 nothing much can be done for it. Some forms of digital and
online measures to combat loneliness can be tried and should be initiated by
public health doctors and nurses for the sake of the people who are caught up
in this inescapable mesh. People who feel this loneliness should also try to
reach out to people and medical people to address and get therapy for it. Keep
talking to people around to counteract the problem and try to help others who
are lonely. Otherwise, we will perish from loneliness if not from COVID-19.
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