Answer to Question #165571 in English for Syed Abdullah Gilani

Question

The Coronavirus touched virtually every corner of the globe and almost every person’s life in some way. Hundreds of thousands have already died, and. its economic ramifications have been disastrous. Individuals have been separated from extended family members and communities; schools and places of worship have been closed.

We want to hear your COVID-19 story. What has the virus taught you about life? If you were not infected, what has your experience been like as an “outsider?”

• How did you manage to cope with quarantine, change of routines, loss of social interaction, and perhaps a decreased sense of community?
• If you are a religious person, what was it like when your place of worship was closed? How did you feel about God during this “calamity”?
• Have your thoughts on the meaning and purpose of life been affected?

We encourage our contestants to explore this issue in a way that is most meaningful to them, and to do so while making sure to avoid speculative narratives and political polarization.

• Deadline for submissions: March 1, 2021. Winners will be announced on May 31, 2021.
• Contest open to all writers worldwide
• Ideal word count to be between 1,500 and 2,500

Answer 1

How did you manage to cope with quarantine, change of routines, loss of social interaction, and perhaps a decreased sense of community?

COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan city in China. Basically, approximately 40 pneumonia-like cases with unknown etiology were described, where some of the individual s were seafood vendors. The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Chinese government, worked on establishing the etiological agent and was named Novel Corona Virus (2019-nCoV). A few weeks later, the infection had spread rapidly to other countries. By mid-March 2020, WHO had declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The virus had spread to about 114 countries. COVID-19 has been a public health concern that the world is grumbling with, having spread to over 160 countries. Italy was the first hit country in Europe and whose impact has been immense. Coronaviruses cause respiratory illness among humans.

International and local initiatives were put in place to minimize the spread of the virus. Funds have been raised, and Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) was set up aimed at cushioning the health care systems. The strategies aimed at minimizing transmission, providing early care as well as reducing social and economic impacts. Many countries have instated a state of lockdown. This measure has halted provision services and movement of goods.

Additionally, the global economy has been negatively impacted. Education institutions closed down, and employees are working from home. Furthermore, the direct impacts of COVID-19 are ever-increasing. The morbidity and the mortality rate due to the disease is the most significant setback.

As COVID-19 is a new disease, with devastating effects worldwide, it has caused anxiety, fear, and confusion. Social stigma has also been on the rise, especially in populations where the disease is most concentrated. Search into COVID 19 virus is ongoing with facts changing regarding the prevention and management of the infection. The uncertainty in prognosis and containment of the disease are among the significant stressors. Besides, many countries have witnessed shortages in resources for protection. The use of sanitizers and masks increased, leading to their exhaustion in the market. The inadequate personal protective equipment exposes health care workers to risks of infection. Equipment for testing and management of the disease has only been scarce.

 The isolation and quarantine experience created some anxiety, confusion, and post-traumatic stress to me. Public health emergencies such as covid-19 affect people's social, physical, and mental wellbeing. Governments across the globe have implemented physical distancing measures to cut coronavirus transmission, resulting in people being isolated for long periods. The standards have profound consequences on people. The restrictions pushed people me new realities at a time when the future is uncertain. Job loss and distraction on the source of livelihoods are on the rise and I almost experienced one. Quarantine of people exposed to the disease induces psychological effects that could be long-lasting (Nicola et al.). Limiting access to daily routines provokes mental health issues and weakens physical health, especially for people who already struggle to maintain good health.

In brief, prolonged periods of isolation, the fear of infection, limited access to supplies and information, financial loss, boredom exposed me somehow to the risk of adverse psychological effects. 

COVID-19 and Religion

I am a Roman Catholic and my parent are too. However, i beleve COVID-19 affected all religion the same way.Therefore. I do hope that all religion established a common bridge between religios communities in fighting against COVID-19 to be able to find a novel solution including medicine and therapy. Covid-19 was an unexpected event for all followers of different religions. But it does not mean that they do not have the experience to deal with it. For instance, Muslims were faced similar pandemic calamities in classical times and they have some specific rules managing such situations.

There were no misunderstandings with the authorities who declared quarantine and a ban on visiting mosques and churches. Muslims and Chrestians performed their blessing prayers at home. Now that the ban has been lifted, everyone is happy that they have passed this stage and returned to their normal life.

I do not think the influence of religion or rather GOD on life would be lessened in the post-COVID world, rather there are possibilities of increased control of religion on life.

Have your thoughts on the meaning and purpose of life been affected?

COVID-19 has enabled me develop a life crafting perspective. A life crafting perspective rely on theoretical insights from different areas of research, like positive psychology, expressive writing, and focus on wellbeing rather than the pathogenesis. Life-crafting measures helped me find the meaning in life by focusing on their ideal future, and helping me set goals, and make concrete plans to achieve those goals and overcome challenges. Because having a clear purpose or meaning in life has been shown to have many benefits, I propose that it can also help people to cope with the psychological effects of the coronavirus pandemic. A life-crafting measure can offer individuals a chance to evaluate their objectives in a time of uncertainty and rediscover meaning in life to guide them through these difficult times.

Works cited

Nicola, Maria et al. "The Socio-Economic Implications of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-      19): A Review". International Journal of Surgery, vol 78, 2020, pp. 185-193. Elsevier      BV, doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.04.018.