COVID-19 is a pandemic disease that is easily transmitted through physical contact
COVID-19 is a pandemic disease that 8is easily transmitted through physical contact with individuals having the disease. Due to the nature of transmission, social distancing applies between people. This includes avoiding social meetings and physical contact between individuals. Marrison argues that human beings are social and often connect with other individuals who are strangers. Socializing with friends reveals the inner aspects of human beings blocked from expressing due to the effects that individuals would face with the absence of the strangers. The social distancing policy developed is meant to help an individual and others are healthy. There is hope that the spread of COVID-19 and the number of deaths experienced reduced through physical distancing and self-isolation.
Social distancing involves the avoidance of other people through social activities. Sports events, festivals, cruises, and any social gatherings prohibited during the period of COVID-19. Social activities are canceled to reduce the attraction of people into a place where they can have physical contact with each other (Khan 4). A safe distance includes at least six feet away from other people. Not observing this distance increases the chances of catching COVID-19 and transmitting it to family and friends. Social distancing is practiced by working at home, closing learning institutions, canceling the meeting, and wearing a face cover.
Morrison argues people create boundaries between each to limit physical contacts and emotional connections. COVID-19 social distancing limits the interaction of people and reduces the chances of meeting and befriending strangers. There are no fences or physical boundaries created. The physical connectivity will be lost between people, affecting them psychologically. Morrison argues through interactions; individuals get the urge to see their friends again (Morrison 159). Through the language and image the stranger possesses, they create a memorable experience that makes them connect again. Different from Morrison’s case, individuals in COVID-19 situations are capable of meeting through other platforms. Although physical contacts are lost, people can still communicate and see each other through social media platforms and other means of communication. The effects of social distancing are reduced, but feelings of loneliness and lack of essential services are affected.
In the face of COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and self-isolation are crucial in containing the virus. Although the strategy inconveniences the social, economic, and political development of every country, the strategy saves the lives of individuals who depend on those economic, social, and political activities (Lisa 32). Strategies are developed by different psychological personnel to effectively perform social distancing and avoid the effects experienced by Morrison. Training of the heart and mind to sustain stress can help individuals learn ways in which they can be helpful to the entire community. Individuals should also consider social distancing as a universal agreement to contain the virus. People feel obliged to adhere to social solidarity policies, even when experiencing personal impacts. People should develop other strategies to meet their economic, social, and political needs that are not contrary to social distancing strategies.
Part 2
Morrison argues that the media uses image and language to alter the vision and beliefs of individuals into their own beliefs. The media is the communication network that delivers information through the news, marketing messages, music, education, and movies. Media is, therefore, an important part of the society that helps in sharing of information, especially if it is for the majority of the population. According to Morrison, the media manipulates humans by blurring their vision and influencing their humanity views. Do the media manipulate the audience?
The major media role is to communicate to the public on the happenings in other parts of the world. When the audience does not know about particular matters, they rely on the media to inform them of the subject. The media does not define to the audience what to think because of the audience analyzers the information before they absorb and react to the information (Litt 337). Morrison argues that ‘succumbing to the media can blur vision, resisting them can do the same’ (Morrison 161). Morrison accepts media is not responsible for manipulation since, without it, the audience is still blind to various factors considered when making decisions.
The media is responsible for influencing public beliefs and constructing them to bring social change. The social change includes the greater good of society and not individual interests. Morrison argues that media affects a person’s intimacy levels and broader knowledge about themselves. He, however, does not show how this influence can lead to can in behaviors and social change. Through the behavioral change, people use the media influence in politics through elections (Happer and Philo 330). The media increases the views of what humans need and ought to become in society. Education is part of the media, which influences people to consider various theories when making decisions.
Media, especially social media, revives the aspects that define the person’s identity. Technological tools have made it possible for individuals to store data such as music and photos through media platforms. Morrison argues media, ‘… narrows our view of what humans look like…. and what we are like’ (Morrison, 161). He believes that media changes the identity of a person by introducing new concepts different from the ones that define their identity. Through stored data, platforms such as social media remind the audience about their past and their identity. Media does not change the identity of the viewers but help them realize who they are with time.
The media does not manipulate individuals. Media is a platform in which individuals get information and analyze it to make their personal decisions. Media enables the audience to analyze problems through social change strategies and allows them to redefine their identity over time.
Work Cited
Morrison, T. The Norton reader: an anthology of nonfiction. WW Norton, 2008.
Happer, Catherine, and Greg Philo. “The role of the media in the construction of public belief and social change.” Journal of social and political psychology 1.1 (2013): 321-336.
Litt, Eden. “Knock, knock. Who’s there? The imagined audience.” Journal of broadcasting & electronic media 56.3 (2012): 330-345.
Knah, Amir. “Doctor’s note: the psychological effects of social distancing.” Aljazeera, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/doctor-note-psychological-effects-social-distancing-200414071411061.html. Accessed 18 Apr 2020
Lisa, Lockerd Maragakis. “Coronavirus, social and physical distancing and self-quarantine.” John Hopkins Medicine, 2020, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-social-distancing-and-self-quarantine. Accessed 18 Apr 2020.