Loneliness

24 September 2021 12:10 am

 

The continuous lockdowns imposed to contain COVID-19 have caused problems for several people. No one is exempt from having felt lonely at some stage of the past eighteen months during the pandemic. Such feelings of being away from family, loved ones and good friends, have an impact on our emotions. What most are missing is human interaction, which is a complete no no and the less and smaller crowds you meet in open spaces is the new lifestyle.

People who have access to technology can keep themselves occupied by communicating with others, although after a while there is nothing to talk about at length;  all conversations seem to lead to the pandemic, the lockdowns and how these should be handled. How many games can one play on the computer, watch TV and binge watch movies. After a while, especially those living alone, feelings of loneliness seem to envelope you. It does not make a difference in big families either, it seems. A friend, who lives with a large family, told me the other day that the chances of getting into an argument are very high and constantly seeing each other seems to be getting on each other’s nerves. Many people have breakdowns and begin weeping, whilst others go into periods of silence. Some are into binge eating whilst others lose their appetite. It is change that all are seeking, away from this monotonous life we are currently living through, although aware that we do not have much of a choice since it is common knowledge that staying indoors is safer than meeting up with groups of people, albeit masked, since no one can predict how and where the virus will appear.

Fortunately, the vaccination programme in this country is going on smoothly, although there are some who are refusing to be vaccinated for personal reasons. What they do not realise is that if they are not vaccinated they put themselves at risk of sickness and death;  they put other people at risk of sickness and death; they do their part to help extend the life and reach of a virus that has brought sickness and death to millions, along with massive emotional, experiential, educational and economic losses to the entire world; and in doing all of these they give the virus one more living opportunity to mutate into even more dangerous forms.  

Every country’s goal is to get back
to normality and, to achieve this, at

least 80% of the eligible population need to be fully vaccinated. Till this target is reached in our country let us care for each other, especially those who feel isolated and are undergoing emotional issues.