The COVID-19 domino effect

As COVID-19 takes an ever-stronger grip on our collective consciousness, the most sinister trait of the virus is the knock-on effect it has on nearly every aspect of our lives. 

In the early days of the outbreak it was common to see many sceptics denounce the ‘hysteria’ surrounding the virus on the grounds that its mortality rate was, at the time, less than your run-of-the-mill influenza. In fact, it is arguably one of the primary reasons why hashtags such as #coronahoax have such fervent engagement on social media sites such as Twitter. 

But when the reality of COVID-19 became clear – how it attacks the most vulnerable among us, how even with a low mortality rate its high rate of infection could mean hospitals were simply overwhelmed, how it makes the healthier among us asymptomatic carriers putting our loved ones at risk – that the prospect of a lockdown became gradually more enticing.

But with a lockdown comes its own complications, and this is where as a society all of us need to be more mindful. In Sri Lanka, and indeed across the world, there have been rising concerns surrounding domestic violence and child abuse, with countries responding to various degrees. 

In France they have opened up hotels for women fleeing domestic violence, while in Lebanon authorities have set up a dedicated domestic violence hotline to deal with a surge in cases of physical, sexual and psychological abuse since the introduction of home quarantine over COVID-19. Scotland meanwhile has announced an appropriation of $1.8 million for Scottish women’s aid and rape crisis programs.

And it is these examples that Sri Lanka must take on board in the coming weeks and months ahead as institutions already in place to deal with such matters will also be affected by social distancing and isolation requirements. Indeed, it is very important that the relevant authorities and services for victims of domestic violence are given the assistance needed to provide adequate services even in cases of declared health emergency. Because the fact remains that in such times the alertness of support services and other institutions should be even greater than in normal situations, given that aggravating circumstances exist where victims may find it even more difficult to seek help.

In addition to this, there must also be an understanding of the mental strains and stresses individuals are likely to be put under during these most unusual of circumstances. Many activists have confirmed that the coronavirus epidemic is causing increased stress and anxiety, particularly among people with existing mental health problems. This is not surprising considering the context; job security is at an all-time low, while reactions to the crisis can bring about feelings of fear, sadness, anger and helplessness.

In fact the official advice from the World Health Organisation in dealing with COVID-19 related stress is to “avoid watching, reading or listening to news that causes feelings of anxiety or distress” – most of which is pretty tough to avoid these days.

That said, these are unprecedented times, and while there really is no handbook on how to successfully navigate such a crisis, the Government must be mindful to focus its efforts on all of the vulnerable members of society, those both directly and indirectly impacted by the virus.