Coronavirus has changed everything, including collective psyche

There has been only one news headline in 2020—coronavirus. The virus has impacted us so badly that all our concerns—physical, psychological, social, economic, cultural—have converged to the pandemic. In the last few months, we have been programmed to see life through the prism of Covid-19. Whether a company takes a decision or a government department makes arrangements for the festive season, the coronavirus hovers over every call that is made.

The impact it has had on our individual and collective psyche is overwhelming. Unsurprisingly, reports of mental health issues—depression, anxiety, confusion and stress—arising out of unprecedented fear are mounting. Serious physical health issues aside, the pandemic has tormented the human mind in a manner not known since World War II.

Recently, a senior executive engaged with a multinational said that she has never feared any disease or ailment as he did in the case of Covid.

The executive is not alone. Many have the same view. “I am willing to go to hospital with any disease except Covid,” he said.

Indeed, the fear of coronavirus has surpassed even that of cancer, heart or kidney malfunctioning, notwithstanding the high death rates in these diseases.

People have been nudged to be suspicious of one another—something that is considered necessary to contain the spread of the disease. In fact, even now, after months of living with this virus, many people who contract the virus display an uncanny sense of guilt or deep-rooted embarrassment.

While the authorities and medical fraternity may have come out with advisories to protect people from contracting the virus, it has had a bearing on the society.

The World Health Organization too is guilty, for its regular contradictory statements and advisories have created more confusion and uncertainty among people. It has further divided the society which could take years to undo.

Yes, fatigue and a sense of carelessness are commonly noticed among many people but again many others continue to display a distorted social behavioral pattern.

But now, as the news of the launch of a vaccine takes centre-stage, people’s collective behavior has once again changed. “There is almost a sense among most people that the day the vaccine is launched, coronavirus will die. The news of the launch of a vaccine has addressed the psychological barrier,” an executive with a multinational company said.

Even as apprehensions exist over the efficacy of the vaccine, millions believe that once it is out, life will return to normal. And normal means normal, not ‘new normal.’

Let’s hope so..