Social Problems during Covid
I have noticed a huge increase in mental health issues during this epidemic. When I chat with people on Twitter, many are openly expressing their struggles with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and even schizophrenia. Then there is a whole group of LGBTQIA folks who are expressing themselves for the first time in history about their own struggles with identity, acceptance and relationships. It is wonderful that the current generation is able to speak openly about their medical issues without fear of reprisal, but what concerns me are the sheer numbers at this time who need support. My American friends are telling me they don’t have access to adequate treatment because they can’t afford medical insurance, especially if they are out of work due to Covid. It is a nasty cycle. Here in Canada, at least we can talk to our doctor online and get a prescription renewed or a referral to a therapist, psychiatrist, or specialist doctor.
In the United States right now, people are afraid to even leave their homes because the daily number of new cases is so high and there are still protesters gathering in the streets every night in major cities as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. It is an important message, to be sure, but the timing is unfortunate because these protesters are putting themselves at risk of exposure to the virus by gathering in large groups. Then there are other groups of right wing extremists gathering to protest wearing masks, saying it is undue government control, which is ridiculous in my opinion. All this upheaval is affecting people’s moods almost as much as Covid. Some small business owners are not only struggling to make ends meet, they are also having their windows smashed and their merchandise stolen by looters in some cities. Curfews have been imposed and the National Guard has been called in to try and keep order, but this is viewed as further police brutality. It is a terrible time to be alone with your thoughts, especially if you suffer from mental illness to begin with. It feels like everyone’s life is on hold for the foreseeable future.
The latest big issue is now education. Everyone I talk to is freaking out about their children returning to school in the next couple of weeks. They are fearful of the epidemic and their children bringing it home. The many families who need to return to work are desperately trying to arrange flexible daycare so that when the scheduling changes due to an illness in the classroom, they can adapt and still go to work. The government can’t make up its mind what school should look like and will need to make changes on the fly if viral numbers increase. Then the delivery of service will revert back to distance mode and one parent might have to stop working again to home-school. Finally, the teachers are afraid of getting sick and how that will affect the whole plan of keeping school open. It is a most trying time and 2020 will be remembered as a very difficult year indeed. Here’s wishing for a speedy vaccine so we can find a new normal.