Coronavirus scare: how the pandemic is affecting Kenyans mentally

It is true that Kenyans are yet to grasp the seriousness of
the Coronavirus pandemic in the country. Yes, most of them are not adhering to
the social distancing advisory nor are they staying at home to limit exposure.

Besides all these, there is a section of Kenyans who are
really scared of Covid-19. They have
chosen to stay indoors whenever possible, wash their hands often, and keep a
safe distance. They are following government guidelines. However, what is going
on in their minds is worrying.

Fear, anxiety, and paranoia are ruling minds of many. Some Kenyans
are scared of getting outside their homes. They try their best to avoid
contact. They keep a distance between them and the next person but another
ignorant citizen decides to stand right next to them. They cannot run away. They
are in a hurry to leave or move away from a person not keeping a social
distance. Since Covid-19 exhibits flu-like symptoms, when one coughs or
sneezes, a scared person is likely to walk away if possible.

Coronavirus has also made many people paranoid. A cough or
sneezing makes one worried. To make matters worse, Kenyan media and some
international media are only focusing on Coronavirus and nothing else. Yes, it
is a pandemic and it needs serious coverage to enlighten the public, but it is
crucial that the media find a balance in the news items instead of bombarding
Kenyans with a sequence of worrying news from the beginning to the end of the
bulletin.

 It is possible to find
a worried Kenyan fixated on watching Covid-19 news across the globe, and that
is not good. Delivering bad news to people continuously contributes to stress.
It affects a person’s mood, makes one lose appetite, and even cause insomnia

Kenyans are experiencing anxiety only that most people are
not talking about it. The daily ministry of health briefings on the virus are
essential, but after the news of the new confirmed cases, Kenyans are left
stressed and coping in whichever way they can.

Life is unpredictable, and pandemics such as Coronavirus are
part of it. However, when people are scared of a fast-spreading outbreak, the
psychological damage can be unbearable. Fear, anxiety, and paranoia become common
among many and coping can be challenging.