Coronavirus is not just a threat to our physical well-being – leader comment

Survey reporting a rise in arguments, drinking, poor sleep and bad diets shows the effect that the disease and the lockdown is having on our mental health.

Nicola Sturgeon has warned of a long-lasting "mental health legacy" of the coronavirus outbreak (Picture: Scottish Government/AFP via Getty Images)

Easter is a time of hope. For Christians, there is the message of Christ’s resurrection and, for everyone, the evenings are lighter, the weather warmer and the holiday means families can gather together.

But this year, of course, the circumstances are very different.

According to the latest figures, the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak has now claimed the lives of 447 people in Scotland, including Janice Graham, a 58-year-old nurse who is the first NHS worker to die from the disease north of the border.

Other health service staff are understandably worried about the same thing happening to them, even as they go in to work every day to help save lives and care for those who are seriously ill.

And they are not the only ones affected by fear of this terrible disease. A survey carried out between 2 and 4 April by Dr James Weinberg, of Sheffield University, found that 45 per cent of the UK public feel “fairly” or “very” scared about catching coronavirus; added to that is the concern for relatives and friends who are elderly or more vulnerable in other ways.

The lockdown – a vital measure to stop coronavirus from spreading to the point that the NHS is overwhelmed – is also causing severe economic damage. Some companies have collapsed, people have lost their jobs while others have had pay cuts or seen their income dry up.

Amid all this worry, we are mostly confined to our homes, living cheek by jowl with family, so it’s no surprise that many people are struggling. We may love each other, but families can still fall out and, when they do, the arguments can be all the more bitter because of the closeness of the relationships.

Lockdown set to continue

A survey by Ipsos Mori and King’s College London found nearly half of us are feeling more anxious and depressed. Significant proportions of people are now sleeping less well, eating a poorer diet, drinking more alcohol and/or arguing with one another. When we are so riven with anxiety on multiple fronts, we should be concerned about the effect of coronavirus on our mental health. Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday she suspected that “for a long time after this, we will be dealing with a mental health legacy from it”.This is particularly true as our current way of life is set to continue for some time yet.

There may have been considerable talk about when it might be possible to lift the lockdown, but this is perhaps only raising false hope. Quite rightly, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said yesterday it was still too early to end restrictions and stressed: “We mustn’t give the coronavirus a second chance to kill more people. I know it is tough going but this is a team effort.”

Make allowances

We should all recognise this is a tough time and that each of us may not be our normal selves. It is understandable that we sometimes might get a bit tetchy with one another, but we shouldn’t let things get out of hand. We can all say things we don’t quite mean and later regret.

Covid-19 is causing death and grief all over the world. Don’t let it cause the further misery of family breakdowns; make allowances for people, give them space when they need it.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this disease is that it can prevent relatives from being with loved ones as they are dying because of the risk of infection. And that is something to ponder if you find yourself getting into a lockdown-induced argument with your nearest and dearest.

In this traditional time of hope, we must all do what we can to make sure our best hopes become reality: abide by the lockdown, observe social distancing, wash your hands, and be kind.

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