SOCIAL DISTANCING - MISUNDERSTOOD WORD

SOCIAL DISTANCING – MISUNDERSTOOD WORD

Ever since the outbreak of the COVID - 19 we get to hear advises like washing hands for 20 seconds, wearing masks and gloves etc. But one word that has become the most commonly heard is "Social distancing" which incidentally also is the most misconstrued word.

Most of the people are interpreting that it means “Not Socializing”. However, it is not so. Need of the time is to help each other by creating a feeling of co-operation and not of isolation. We do not understand how and when Social Distancing has become synonymous with "Socially boycotting" people who are infected.

It is the result of this misunderstanding that the unfortunate people who fall victims to COVID - 19 are being vilified, we must come up with an easy to understand word from the local lingo like maintaining ”Ucchit Doori" (reasonable distance) because the most common cause of the spread is physical contact with an infected person. 

At present there is a fear in an atmosphere and we should try to create an atmosphere of hope. Hope is the only feeling that overcomes fear and helps them in maintaining psychological balance. Things will happen, you cannot stop them for happening, but you can control your reaction from making things worse.

Sometimes the world needs a crisis: Crisis brings new opportunities, new openings. Instead of panic, one needs to prepare them for the future and turn challenges into opportunities

As a psychologist, I observe a big challenge emerging for which we should get ready to cope with and for that we need to start communication with the people who are under great stress at present. We will have to make the people explain that social distancing is not to cure COVID 19. These are precautions taken to slow it down so that our health care system should not get cracked down.

It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. Talking to people you trust can help.

First, we need to identify the causes of stress. It could be -

• Being afraid of disease
• Not getting enough food to eat
• Uncertainty about future
• Don’t have money to survive
• Stress about their old lifestyle
•  Job insecurity and like wise

As we are working towards eradication of COVID 19, similarly, we should also think to work out a strategy for this upcoming problem and for this we need to talk to different section of the society as every section of the society has different form of stress.