Psychological impact of ditching the masks

Contrary to the symptoms of the Covid-19 virus that is now less severe, the psychological impact of the past two years is most likely not resolved and the impact on society has not been ascertained.

Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventative medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in Nashville, Tennessee, said:

“It is clear that Covid-19 is receding, but it is not gone and it will never be eradicated.”

Even if we move from pandemic to endemic, it will be as though we have a truce with the Covid-19-virus, said Adri Swiegers, a social worker from Bela-Bela who specializes in mental health and social services.

She said that wearing a face mask was, in essence, a symbol of responsibility, the individual was not only conscious of their own safety but also took other people into consideration.

Swiegers asked the question: Should people continue to wear a mask — is it a sign of vulnerability or paranoia?

“I went for an early morning cup of coffee at a well-known coffee shop in a Pretoria suburb without wearing a mask and the lady behind the counter immediately said: “Oh my word, my first customer without a mask. It is so good to see your face”. Then a few minutes later, two other customers came in that were still wearing their masks, and it was tangible that they took offence to me not wearing a face mask.”

She says that in the future a sense of distrust might evolve between people wearing and not wearing a mask.

“Are we going to start judging others because they are still wearing a mask, or will we judge them because they are not wearing one? It is a big social change that many people are going to have to do battle with,” said Swiegers.

“Even those individuals who have ditched the masks, can at times feel anxious. This is a natural occurrence. We need to understand anxiety, which in general is fear of the unknown that initiates a ruminating sense about the future and contemplating ‘what if’ scenarios. The fear of losing control.”

Trust issues will become the norm for most people in the foreseeable future, according to her.

“Whether you are wearing a mask or not, you are going to feel closer to people who are likemindend. It takes about a month to change a habit and for us to feel comfortable again. Therefor we may see a heightened level of anxiety for people who do not feel safe,” said Swiegers.

“Some people will still wear masks, even outdoors. It acts like a kind of pacifier for them that makes them feel comfortable. If something makes you feel safe, my advice is to not stop immediately. Give yourself time to adjust.”

Her advice to people who are experiencing ongoing anxiety is to seek professional help. People who are uneasy about going without a mask should explain to their health practitioner the reasons why they feel uneasy.

“Get in touch with your nearest social worker for support and counseling. If you have friends and family members that you trust and value their input, share your concerns with them as this can help alleviate anxiety as well.”