The COVID-19 pandemic calls for spatial distancing and social closeness: not for social distancing!

Abel, Thomas; McQueen, David V.

doi:10.1007/s00038-020-01366-7

Cited by 240 publications

(230 citation statements)

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“…However, being at home might expose all household members to increased risks. Domestic and family violence has been similarly reported as a common high-risk behavior after home quarantine in parts of the world [20]. For instance, such violence has respectively risen by nearly 25-60% in the United Kingdom and Mexico since government policies have merely focused on controlling the disease progression [21,22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The common concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran: Explored findings from a qualitative study

Shahabi

Sadati

Zarei

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background The first cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported in Iran on February 20, and then the virus spread rapidly in all parts of the country, so that over 95000 positive cases and approximately 6000 deaths have been confirmed in this region until May 1, 2020. Even if measures taken in this respect have had significant impacts on reducing the incidence rate of COVID-19, a large number of other problems have arisen. Following this situation, people have been also drawn against many concerns, especially Iranian population with their own previous socioeconomic and cultural problems. Therefore, this nation-wide project aimed to investigate common concerns regarding COVID-19 outbreak in Iran. Methods This qualitative study was conducted in Iran from February to March 2020 via an online open-ended questionnaire. The participants were also selected using convenience and snowball sampling methods. As well, the data collection process continued until data saturation was achieved. In addition, thematic content analysis was utilized to analysis the transcribed texts. Results The statements retrieved also represented the most challenging psychological stress experienced by the participants. Four themes were accordingly recognized based on the content analysis including stressful conditions, health concerns, social and political concerns, and economic concerns. Throughout the study, a major proportion of the participants commented that psychological disorders such as fear, anxiety, stress, and ennui were their main challenges regarding this pandemic. Furthermore, lack of social responsibility, worries about high-risk and susceptible groups, decreased economic power of the public, financial hardships for low-income groups, shortage of healthcare facilities, and adverse effects of disinfectants were expressed as the main concerns. Conclusions As a whole, it is evident that people have confronted with several challenges and need help together with effective policies and strategies during and after this pandemic to reduce their current concerns. The study findings provided a favorable ground to develop and adopt the required policies in Iran and other countries. It was concluded that creating local, national, and global solidarity in such epidemics is an inevitable necessity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The common concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran: Explored findings from a qualitative study

Shahabi

Sadati

Zarei

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…The GAD-7 delivers a sum score by adding each item and ranges from 0 to 21. The sum score yields whether anxiety symptoms are minimal (0-4), low (5-9), medium (10)(11)(12)(13)(14) or severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Furthermore, there are cut-off scores for a generalized anxiety disorder being possible (score >10) or probable (score>15).…”

Section: Data Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonetheless, an impact can be expected. For instance, while social distancing is not meant to imply a reduction in social or emotional support it can easily be misunderstood as "distancing" [11]. Further, social distancing can be associated with a loss of motivation, loss of meaning, loss of self-worth, and subsequent mental health problems [12].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The situation of elderly with cognitive impairment living at home during lockdown in the Corona-pandemic in Germany

Thyrian

Kracht

Nikelski

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Abstract Background: The outbreak of the Corona virus is a challenge for health care systems worldwide. Elderly people with comorbidities are at a higher risk and the different levels of government in Germany reacted jointly to the challenge with social distancing and a lockdown. Little empirical evidence exists about the psychosocial situation of elderly people during this time. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze a) knowledge about, and feelings related to the Corona-pandemic. Describe b) loneliness, depression and anxiety, and, c) the perceived, immediate impact of the lockdown on frequency of social contacts and quality of health care provision of people with cognitive impairment during social distancing and lockdown in the primary care system and daily living at home in Germany. Methods: This analysis is based on data from standardized telephone interviews in a convenience sample of n=141 people with known cognitive impairment in the primary care setting. Participants were recruited from currently running interventional trials. Therefore, data on e.g. cognitive and psychological status prior to the pandemic was available. Attitudes, knowledge about and perceived personal impact of the pandemic, social support, loneliness, anxiety, depression, frequency of social activities due to the pandemic and perceived impact of the pandemic on health care services were assessed during the time of lockdown. Results: The vast majority of participants consider themselves sufficiently informed about Corona (85%) and most think that the measures taken are appropriate (64%). A total of 11% shows one main symptom of a depression according to DSM-V. The frequency of depressive symptoms has not increased between the time before pandemic and lockdown in almost all participants. The sample shows minimal (65.0%) or low levels of anxiety (25%). The prevalence of loneliness is 10%. On average seven activities have decreased in frequency due to the pandemic. Social activities related to meeting people, dancing or birthday visits have decreased significantly. Talking with friends by phone and activities like gardening have increased. Utilization of health care services like day clinics, relief services and prescribed therapies are reported to have worsened due to the pandemic. Also visits to general practitioners decreased. Discussion: The study shows a limited impact of the pandemic on psychological variables including depression, anxiety and loneliness in the short-term. People are well informed but not especially concerned about themselves or others. There is a decrease in social activities as expected, in line with the restrictions imposed. The impact on health care provision is prominent. There is a need for longitudinal studies to assess longer-term effects of the pandemic and social distancing on elderly people with cognitive impairment living at home and their caregivers. There is also a need for qualitative, in-depth studies to further interpret the results. In general, elderly people in the setting under examination and with the limitations of this specific study seem to compensate restrictions during the time of lockdown in Germany rather well.

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“…Similarly, we also need to determine whether the mass testing of antibody status would guide how extensively and how long social distancing should be implemented in a speci c area [28,70], and whether the term 'spatial distancing' would be more appropriate than 'social distancing measures' while addressing the issue of distance between individuals or objects [76]. Finally, we need to know what appropriate quarantine measures would be appropriate in the long run to curb importation of transmission, and whether " attened epidemic curve [will] rise again once we come out of the quarantine adopted worldwide" [28].…”

Section: Directions For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors impacting social distancing measures for preventing coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]: A systematic review

Regmi¹,

Lwin²

2020

Preprint

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Background: Social distancing measures (SDMs) protect the health of the public from coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection. However, the impact of SDMs has been inconsistent and unclear. This study aims to review the factors impacting SDMs (e.g. isolation, quarantine) for reducing the transmission of COVID-19.Methods: A systematic review was conducted. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Allied & Complementary Medicine, COVID-19 Research and WHO database on COVID-19 for primary studies assessing the enablers and barriers associated with SDMs, and reported in accordance with PRISMA statement. We used JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for the cross-sectional survey and Qualitative Research to assess the methodological qualities and synthesised performing thematic analysis. Two reviewers independently screened the papers and extracted data.Results: A total of 1235 citations were identified, of which 16 were found to be relevant. The studies reported in two broad categories, under seven separate themes: positive impact of SDMs, effective public health interventions, positive change in people’s behaviour, worries and concerns about COVID-19, roles of mass media, physical and psychological impacts, and ethnicity/age associated with COVID-19.Conclusion: The identified evidence signals that SDMs are generally effective for preventing or reducing transmission. There is a scope and need to find the best methods and approaches at the primary healthcare level in terms of developing objective measures and interventions to establish the link between different factors and SDMs and reducing transmission of COVID-19 trend effectively, efficiently and equitably.

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The COVID-19 pandemic calls for spatial distancing and social closeness: not for social distancing!

Cited by 240 publications

References 0 publications

The common concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran: Explored findings from a qualitative study

The common concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran: Explored findings from a qualitative study

The situation of elderly with cognitive impairment living at home during lockdown in the Corona-pandemic in Germany

Factors impacting social distancing measures for preventing coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]: A systematic review

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