Why people continue to deny that there’s pandemic?
Coronavirus is real and it has killed millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, some people don’t believe that the virus exists. Either they’re in denial or just adamant to follow the strict protocols of WHO.
If you are one of those people who still don’t believe that coronavirus exists, then you should read this post. It might open your mind and accept the fact that there’s a pandemic and it’s ruining the lives of millions of people worldwide.
Fitness Influencer Dmitriy Stuzhuk Died from the Virus
On his Instagram account with over 1 million followers, Dmitriy wrote that he was one of those people who thought that COVID-19 doesn’t exist. He shared photos of himself from his hospital bed.
He said that while he was in Turkey, he woke up one-night experiencing breathing difficulties. The following day, he developed a cough.
He underwent coronavirus testing after returning to Ukraine. Unfortunately, the test came back positive.
He described COVID-19 as “not a short-lived disease. It’s heavy.” But he added that his condition was stable.
He spent 8 days in the hospital before he was discharged. But he was hospitalized again when his health condition deteriorated.
It was his ex-wife who updated her followers that Dmitriy was in grave condition and unconscious. She said that her ex-husband’s cardiovascular system isn’t coping. Having a cardiovascular disease is one of the pre-existing conditions that can increase the risk of dying from COVID-19.
A day after, she confirmed Dmitriy’s death.
In Ukraine, the daily coronavirus case numbers are increasing. To date, its total number of cases has reached 303,638. The number of deaths is 5,673.
With the number of cases increasing, the government extended its lockdown measures until 2020.
In Denial of the Realities
Despite the number of cases, some people, like Dmitriy, are still in denial with the facts about COVID-19. This pandemic has already caused physical and mental effects on all people.
For some people, however, they still don’t believe that there’s a pandemic. It’s understandable because it’s how humans cope to protect them from the stress and trauma associated with the disease.
Many individuals can’t accept the fact that COVID-19 is an extreme form of ordinary flu. As a result, they don’t wear face masks while they’re in public places. They also continue attending parties and large gatherings.
Although being in denial isn’t bad, it can be dangerous not just to oneself but to others.
Protect Self Against Anxiety
Denial can be a way for you to defend yourself from the effects of anxiety. When you get anxious, you treat the stimulus as a threat. As a result, you create ways to protect yourself.
And one way to protect yourself is to deny the existence of the one causing your anxiety. And in this case, it’s the coronavirus.
That’s why you might say that it’s a hoax.
Some people acknowledge the existence of the virus. However, they don’t consider it a threat. For that reason, they consider it as just ordinary flu.
Whether you deny its existence or you want to diminish the threat of the virus, you’re creating a myth about the virus to help you believe that it’s not real or it’s not as severe as what the media is saying.
Being in denial will help you adapt to the threat. But you’re causing harm to yourself and others as you expose yourself further to the threat.
You ignore the proper precautions to protect yourself.
By not following the safety protocols, you might have contracted the virus already and you passed it down to your loved ones unknowingly.
That said, it’s okay to deny that there’s a pandemic to help you cope. But follow the safety precautions of your government and WHO for the sake of your loved ones and the people around you.
You can still go on with your daily activities but wear masks and wash your hands frequently.
To read more coronavirus updates, please visit our Health News.
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