As of 1 April 2020 to date, there have been 327,798 confirmed cases and 41,449 deaths in the UK. The UK government has enforced “social distancing” measures to curb transmission, protect the vulnerable, and prevent saturation of the NHS. Social distancing has potential mental health implications—how can we mitigate these to bolster this essential public health effort? In recent pandemics, isolation, and quarantine (more extreme forms of social distancing) have precipitated depression and anxiety. We might expect to see similar effects as confined people are detached from their loved ones, deprived of personal liberties, and devoid of purpose owing to altered routine and livelihood. This can contribute to frustration, boredom, low mood, and potentially depression. Anxiety might arise from fear of contagion and inadequate clarity around social distancing guidelines, often made worse by less reliable media sources heightening confusion and fear-mongering. Those with pre-existing mental illness might suffer from limiting interpersonal interactions that are central to their management, as well as reduced access to helpful but “non-essential” (and thus often canceled) psychiatric services.
Stay home as much as possible.
Everybody needs to stay home and only leave your house for necessary reasons such as restocking groceries and going to work. Do not go out to eat, hang out in bars, or take part in recreational activities like going to the cinema. By social distancing, you reduce the likelihood you will encounter the virus. If everyone does this, the virus will not spread as easily.
Wash hands Your Hands.
The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to wash your hands as often as possible. Wet your hands with warm water, then apply a mild soap. Work the soap into a lather for 20-30 seconds, then rinse your hands clean under warm running water. This is about how long it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song to yourself twice, so pretend you are celebrating someone's birthday.
Wear a mask or cover your nose and mouth while in public.
Yeshua Healthcare recommends that even healthy people in the UK wear a mask or a cloth covering when expecting to encounter others in public, like when you are going to the grocery store or using public transportation. Face coverings are NOT a replacement for social distancing!
