Social Psychology and The Coronavirus
Coronavirus pandemic has affected socially on the ways people think, believe, and feel. It has also generated fear and many social dilemmas. For instance, buyers in the United States were hoarding tissue paper due to insecurity. Tissue paper is a necessity, and it was not possible to determine the period it will take to eliminate coronavirus in the country. Toilet paper has no substitute, unlike other basic needs, which also necessitated hoarding since people are to stay at home for an unspecified period.
Moreover, the supplies of toilet paper did not assure the buyers whether they would manage constant supply until the government manages to control the coronavirus. The Native Americans believed that the Chinese were the carriers of the coronavirus; hence, they started showing racism against the Chinese Americans. People went ahead to boycott Chinese-owned businesses and online hate speech. Conspiracy theories have also emerged with an anti-Chinese attitude, which is socially incorrect.
Some American people do not believe that staying at home and maintaining social distance can reduce the spread of coronavirus; hence they have refused to follow the World Health Organization guidelines. The people declining the regulations argue that staying home is harmful to the mental health of most people. Cases of domestic violence and suicides are likely to increase upon implementing the stay-at-home policy. Moreover, people are violating stay-at-home policy, considering they will lose their jobs, consequently their income. The United States is encountering an increase in the number of coronavirus cases. The high number is leading to an escalation of misinformation on the causes of a rampant increase number of cases, which is present on irresponsible social media platforms. For instance, since it’s very cold in the United States, it has led to the virus flourishing and multiplying very fast since it survives well in a cold environment.
Some businesses are spreading false information and overpricing some of their products online, claiming that they cure coronavirus. For instance, some pharmaceutical companies have overpriced the chloroquine drug claiming that it boosts the immunity of coronavirus patients. All these acts, thoughts, and feelings have changed the moral judgment of many people, changed the social attitudes, conservative measures, and norms in most of the communities in the United States.
The emergence of coronavirus has made a huge impact on my social life. For instance, avoiding a handshake and staying in seclusion is limiting my character trait of exploring. I am adopting the new policy of social distancing and frequent washing of hand with soap or sanitizer. Moreover, I am very cautious not to touch surfaces or touch my face carelessly. I am also observing my immunity by eating nutritious foods and regular physical exercises while at home. I am treating any ailment very carefully to avoid compromising with my immunity. Working from home is also challenging due to the unfavorable environment. The other family members at home are limiting the efficiency of working since they distract in the middle of important activity. Compulsory wearing a mask is uncomfortable, especially in a hot environment.
The changes that I will make going forward are on moral judgment considering coronavirus information. I will engage in an extensive study on credible and authentic information on coronavirus, especially from peer-reviewed journals, books, and websites. I will also change the social attitudes towards other nations and take a positive role in eliminating the disease. I will also acquit myself with other methods of social gathering and communication, such as the use of Skype and Zoom platforms. I feel that the novel coronavirus has changed my understanding of the infectious disease, and the biggest threat of the disease may cause the survival of human beings. Besides, the coronavirus has changed my behavior, whereby I have become more respectful to the average person and immigrants.