On April 30, the Central Epidemic Command Center was disbanded, and from Monday last week, the status of COVID-19 was downgraded from a category 5 notifiable communicable disease to category 4. In other words, three years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan’s disease control measures have officially been removed.
Over the past three years, due to the horrendous pandemic, almost everyone has experienced some form of self-isolation or lockdown. Each person had to deal with it in their own way.
In the post-pandemic era, they will have to make a further adjustment, and return to a life in which they need to communicate and interact with others more.
Everyone needs to cope with the aftermath of the pandemic, as a substantial number of people contracted the virus. Even though the symptoms eventually went away for many people, some experienced “long COVID” or are afraid of the post-pandemic conditions.
The condition of young and healthy people can be improved more quickly through regular exercise.
On the other hand, many never caught COVID-19, but during the pandemic, they experienced anxiety and depression.
Today, they would have to be more resilient psychologically. They must believe that they are in an environment that is safe and secure. They should also think positively and remain optimistic, try to be joyful, grateful and hopeful, so that they can retain their health, both physical and mental.
As a result of disease control measures, many employees were required to work from home and communicate with the outside world through the Internet. Some welcomed it, whereas some felt isolated and disconnected. In either case, many must adapt to a new mode of interaction in the post-pandemic era.
It is regrettable that some have lost their jobs during the pandemic, but today, many companies are dealing with a shortage of workers. The issue involves some psychological matters and it will take some time to resolve.
The situation has been especially difficult for elderly people, who require more social support and resources. During the pandemic, they must have felt more lonely and helpless.
In the post-pandemic era, long-term care services should be enhanced. Government agencies should arrange more care visits and telephone check-ins, improve their use of social networking platforms, meal delivery and medical care services, as well as promote health awareness in a more effective way. In doing so, elderly people would be less affected by anxiety and depression, and less prone to have suicidal tendencies.
The government should be aware of the current situation and prepare for more challenges. Indeed, many will find fault with the government and blame officials for everything related to the pandemic, such as economic losses, price hikes and inflation, failures in vaccine procurement and development, and all kinds of social incidents.
The government must do more to communicate with the public, so that people can appreciate its disease control measures. No matter how challenging it is, the government should endeavor to win people’s support.
Chen Chiao-chicy is a psychiatrist at Mackay Memorial Hospital and an adjunct professor.
Translated by Emma Liu
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