Ever since Ontario enforced closure of non-essential businesses to curb the coronavirus pandemic, Lester Fernandez found himself out of a job overnight, as well as stranded in his apartment, painfully aware of the time ticking past and money running out. Being an expat student, his job at a restaurant was the only way to stay afloat. “I have money left just to buy groceries one more time,” he said, with a resigned sigh. Anxiety and loneliness have been gnawing at him, making it difficult to sleep for more than 4-5 hours.
Lester, a 25-year-old from Bengaluru, has been cooped up in his rented apartment in Canada for more than a week now, and classes have also shifted online. Apart from the crippling loneliness of being stranded in a foreign country, the possibilities of his course getting indefinitely delayed looms large, which would mean more money down the drain. “If this prolongs for a long time, I don’t know what can be done,” his voice trailed off.
Stress disorder
Closer home, a nationwide lockdown has been enforced in India and people find themselves enmeshed in varying degrees of quarantine — either self-isolation at home or mandated quarantine to prevent contagion. A recent review in The Lancet found that quarantine is linked with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, confusion, and anger — the effects of which can be long-lasting.
Now that the coronavirus crisis has clawed its way into almost every continent, as well as our collective consciousness, it will have unfathomable mental health implications, affirmed all the mental health experts BusinessLine spoke to.
Denne historien er fra April 02, 2020-utgaven av The Hindu Business Line.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 02, 2020-utgaven av The Hindu Business Line.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Covid Presents An Opportunity For India
India must attract investors exiting China post-Covid. Streamlining of project clearances and relaxation in FRBM norms will help
Did Alternative Assets Shield You From Covid-19 Volatility?
The assets closely linked to stock and debt markets could not stave off the losses
How To Put Aircraft To Bed
Preserving grounded planes, to get them up and flying at short notice, is a challenging task. Ashwini Phadnis captures the process
There Can Be No Going Back On WFH
Covid-19 has fast-forwarded the shift to ‘work from home’. However, some face-to-face connect will always be needed
UN, WHO Urged To Ensure ‘Benefit Sharing' Of Covid-Related Data
Biopharma firms should reach vaccines, medicines to poor nations at an affordable price, say civil society bodies
With No Clear Signal From Rlys, States Explore Ways To Bring Back Migrants
Quarantine centres, cross-country buses being arranged even as migrants hop on to boats, trucks and ambulances
Centre Allows All Neighbourhood Shops To Open But With Riders
Final call will be taken by local authorities; shopping complexes that draw fewer ‘outsiders’ are permitted to operate
Covid Impact Relatively Muted In India
Compared to Italy and the US, India’s rate of infection spread has been slow. This can be attributed to the strict measures in place
How Global Trade Will Fare Post-Covid
China isn’t likely to lose its pre-eminent position soon. India, for one, will need to make manufacturing globally competitive
How To Curb Harassment In The Virtual Office
Training and sensitisation are essential. Institute a strict dress code and chat etiquette to ensure professionalism during video calls