The mental health effects of quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, and panic buying during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

The mental health effects of quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, and panic buying during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy

Introduction: On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 as a pandemic, marking its spread across more than 110 countries and over 118,000 confirmed cases globally (WHO, 2020). Health experts worldwide have introduced terms like 'quarantine,' 'self-isolation,' and 'social distancing' to guide people on preventing the virus's transmission. While these measures are crucial, they can impact psychological well-being. This article reviews the potential mental health effects of quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, and panic buying in the context of Kenya's rising cost of living.

Forms of Social Withdrawal in a Pandemic: Three primary forms of social withdrawal are pertinent to COVID-19: quarantine, self-isolation, and social distancing. Quarantine involves isolating someone who's been exposed to a disease before symptoms develop (CDC, 2017). Isolation separates individuals from society as a preventive measure, whether mandatory or self-imposed. Social distancing involves maintaining physical distance to limit contamination (CDC, 2020). Quarantine and self-isolation have comparable psychological consequences, while social distancing can lead to different challenges due to the absence of isolation.

The Effects of Quarantine on Mental Health: Quarantine dates back to outbreaks like leprosy and the Black Death in the 12th century. It can result in loss of freedom, uncertainty, separation from loved ones, and has led to issues such as anger, stress, and lawsuits during past outbreaks (Barbish et al., 2015). Those quarantined due to SARS reported symptoms like stress, detachment, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia (Bai, 2004). Extended periods of quarantine have been linked to post-traumatic stress symptoms, with boredom, isolation, lack of basic supplies, and unclear guidelines contributing to distress (Hawryluck et al., 2004; Reynolds et al., 2008; DiGionvanni et al., 2004; Blendon et al., 2004; Cava et al., 2005; Pellecchia et al., 2015; Braunack-Mayer et al., 2013). Stigmatization, rejection, and social issues persist even after quarantine (Taylor et al., 2008; Robertson et al., 2004; Desclaux et al., 2017). The current COVID-19 pandemic might yield similar challenges.

Social Distancing as a COVID-19 Response: Social distancing involves maintaining distance to curb COVID-19's spread. It can lead to loneliness, stigmatization, and a 'social recession,' disproportionately affecting the vulnerable (Klein, 2020). While social media can alleviate loneliness, its usage matters more than frequency (Bekalu et al., 2019).

The Negative and Positive Aspects of Panic Buying: Panic buying, driven by the need for control in chaotic situations, has been linked to stockpiling goods like toilet paper and canned foods. While some argue it's rational, excess buying often stems from caution (Savage & Torgler, 2020).

Conclusion: As Kenya faces increasing living costs, managing the mental health impact of COVID-19-related measures is essential. Quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, and panic buying, while necessary, can lead to psychological challenges. Health experts should raise awareness about these consequences and provide viable solutions to mitigate their effects, ensuring mental well-being in these trying times.