“The only thing we have to fear is ‘Fear’
itself; a nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed
efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
These powerful words, indelibly
imprinted in the library of mankind’s greatest orations, were delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 35th
President of the United
States,
on March, 1933, during his first inaugural address to the nation. That year
1933, was without question, the worst year of the great depression which followed
the global economic crash in 1929. A number of economic reasons were offered as
the causes of this collapse, but irrespective of what they were, the
fundamental failures were directly precipitated by the profound fears and
anxieties that were developing in an apprehensive population already frightened over the sudden
loss of confidence in themselves, their leaders, and in the system.
In every corner of the world, that
crash was the direct cause of severe emotional
and economic pain and suffering being felt by people at all levels of society,
and ultimately leading to severe deprivations and increased mortality. Coming
as it did, following the period of exuberant euphoria and prosperity of the 1920’s;
it resulted in a marked increase of psychological disorders in a population
that was totally unprepared to deal with. The unrelenting stresses and fears of
uncertainty that were prevailing at that time resulted in an alarming escalation
of severe anxieties and depression as well as increasing incidences of antisocial
behaviors. Society was in a state of turmoil, and the incidence of interpersonal
aggression, distrust and disputes increased dramatically, as did the incidence
of family disruptions, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide. All of which laid
the foundation which ultimately contributed to the disastrous 2nd World
War.
The world is presently faced with a
crisis of equally gargantuan proportion. Although the causes are not similar,
the resulting impact on the world is likely to be equally, or more disastrous. In
the near term, we are all at great risk of severe fatal consequences from the
effects of the Covid-19 viral infection,
especially if we choose to disregard the urgent warnings by the medical experts
for isolation and sanitation. The current predictions suggest an infection rate
of up to 5 million people worldwide with a mortality rate in the region of
200,000 – 500,000 people. Even at this relatively early stage, this situation has already
resulted in the rapid and increasing disintegration of the social supports and
networks that underpin society and ensure stability. Without question, we are
all being affected, to a greater or lesser degree, by the unrelenting destruction
of the world’s economies, which may well be as bad as, or worse than any previous
episode. What will eventually happen is entirely dependent on how we understand
and manage this stage.
Consistent with the sudden development of any
unexpected or unpredicted period of distress or crisis, the natural human
response invariably includes strong emotions of fear and anxiety which can
often be blown out of proportion and become overwhelming and beyond his control.
During this period when we are all held hostage to this vicious, unrelenting,
invisible enemy, and as the present tragedy unfolds before our very eyes, we
can do no more than try to adjust as best as we can, to the chaos and to the
emotional upheaval swirling around us. No one can hope to come out of this
totally unscathed and unaffected. Under the very perfect and optimum
conditions, we can best help ourselves by trying to recognize our underlying
fears and anxieties, understand their impact on us, and then take steps to
adapt enough to allow us to cope with the prevailing circumstances; until they
change for the better.
No one can consider himself immune from
the long-term effects of a crisis such as this, and every member of society
must be willing to do their part in protecting themselves and their families,
while at the same, do whatever they are capable of doing, to support others in
need, and ameliorate their environment. The long list must include the
following:
-The First Responders: including the doctors, nurses, hospital staff,
emergency workers, essential and security personnel all over the world who
spend endless hours in the frontline, are likely to suffer not only from the
extreme hours of work, under the harrowing conditions of the sheer number of
patients and the uncertainties of supply and personal protection, but also from
the risk of disease affecting themselves and their family. But even more than
this, is the risk that a significant number will, as a result, succumb to PTSD which
could subsequently continue to take a huge toll on their lives, long after the
event has passed. In
addition, as several studies based on previous mass catastrophes including the World Trade Center in 2001, and Ebola Pandemic in 2014, have elicited,
multiple long-term, sometime permanent damage causing burnout, anxiety, depression and suicide can occur.
The
very recent tragic news of suicide by a young and dedicated emergency physician
I fear, is but the beginning of more to come, unless proactive steps are
urgently instituted to prevent further morale injury, burnout and emotional
trauma from taking hold. These people must not be taken for granted, but rather
be nurtured, supported and given as much attention as they need. Their effort
should never be taken lightly, but rather be regarded in the highest esteem.
-Social Isolation and Distancing: instituted by most authorities to try to control
the spread of the virus and reduce the incidence the fatal disease has created
or aggravated an already existing problem of Loneliness. Unless contained, this is likely to cause significant
increase in physical and mental health problems that often go unnoticed, and
result in a rapid escalation of otherwise preventable breakdowns, suicides and
early deaths. ‘Distancing’ does not imply ‘isolation,’ nor does it exclude your
continuing to be your neighbor’s keeper.
-Loss of
Psychosocial Control: Because
of its unfamiliar threats which are difficult to understand or predict, this
situation has touched off a stealthy and growing crisis of conscience and has caused
an upheaval of normal habits, social interactions and economic exchanges. This
has created an immense psychosocial crisis that can be seen in the increased
tendency to hoarding of essential supplies, increasing suspicious behavior, and
widespread distress. The situation will get worse with time and demands that
those in authority begin to empathize with these fears and provide clear and
honest guidance, free of political influence.
-Negative effects on Children: In their haste to establish new rules and
behaviors and to institute social prevention designed to bring the crisis under
control, little consideration has been given to the psychosocial stress of the
children. The lifestyles to which they are accustomed, of going to school and
playing with their friends, has been replaced with home confinement and
restrictions. The adults around them are visibly worried and confused as they
spend the time listening to the news. This is a formula for long-term emotional
damage, unless the parents and adults are able to create direct and open
conversations with them, so they too will understand the reasons for the action
taken and actively become part of the solution.
-Socio-Economic Effects: We are currently deeply involved in a
socio-economic crisis quite unlike anything the world has faced in over 100
years. A crisis that has killed large numbers, spread human suffering and
upended society, causing widespread closures of businesses, schools and
entertainment and enforced isolation. The overall effect in the short-term is
at best, disastrous, but hopefully with time, this will recover. But until this
time, much can be done to alleviate the pain and suffering by careful planning and
social assistance. Above all, the people need to be assured of social
assistance and emotional support until such time when the recovery begins.
As this crisis continues, we must all be alert to recognizing
whether our symptoms are still adaptive and manageable, or become problems
requiring professional help; and seek help as early as possible. Under the very
best circumstances the current crisis which is attacking all the world’s
societies at their very core, and claiming thousands of lives and livelihoods,
will not begin to recede for a very long time, and only after a concerted
effort by the world leaders to act together for the common good. My deepest
fear however is that with our instincts of power and selfishness deeply embedded in our
human psyche, it will continue to prevent the degree of cooperation needed and that
we are destined the suffer the effects of this coronavirus for a very long time
to come. For unless we begin to exercise much more care, we run the risk of
repeating the same mistakes and having the same or even more disastrous
consequences as we have seen previously. Once again confirming the validity of
the classic and age-old dictum originally enunciated by Georg Wilhelm Hegel, the highly respected 18th century
German philosopher that:
“Man
learns from history that he does not learn from history”
-And in
so doing, confirm my deepest concern, which I predicted some time ago, that:
“We will end up like so many other people in
the past, drifting hopelessly in the seas of despair, subjected to the winds
and tides of fear, and the crashing waves of disappointments that will
overwhelm us.”
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