A look at how COVID-19 is affecting those beyond infected
COVID-19 first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan last December, and according to the World Health Organisation, has infected to date more than 434,983 people in at least 162 countries and territories globally, with numbers still rising. 19,607 people have lost their lives. The inexorable proliferation has become one of the biggest threats to the global economy and financial markets. It could take a couple of months to see the extent of its impact fully. As coronavirus cases rise, cities around the world, go on lockdown, but for some, home is not a safe place. What does prolonged confinement mean for the individual and his/her mental wellbeing? Or victims of domestic violence?
Increased anxiety and stress - including medical anxiety and the pressure that many of us will feel when we spend a long time in close proximity with our families – numbers of abuses are likely to rise.
Mandatory lockdowns have trapped people exposed to domestic violence in their homes with their perpetrators and isolated them from the people and resources that could help them. According to TIME online magazine,’ in China, the number of domestic violence cases reported to the local police tripled in February compared to the previous year. Activists say this is a result of enforced lockdown.’
Our hearts go those who are sick and the many who have lost loved ones.
Please stay healthy and adhere to the prohibitions and recommendations issued. Stay at home and only go out if necessary. Keep a watchful eye on those who could be suicidal or who could be subjected to domestic violence. We all need to make the effort so that there is a world to go
back to when this is over.
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