The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused several disruptions in personal and collective lives worldwide. The uncertainties surrounding the pandemic have also led to multi-faceted mental health concerns, which can be exacerbated with precautionary measures such as social distancing and self-quarantining, as well as societal impacts such as economic downturn and job loss.
Despite noting this as a “mental health tsunami,” the psychological effects of the COVID-19 crisis remains unexplored at scale. Consequently, public health stakeholders are currently limited in identifying ways to provide timely and tailored support during these circumstances. The psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 crisis by using social media data from 2020, finding that people’s mental health symptomatic and support expressions significantly increased during the COVID-19 period as compared to similar data from 2019. However, this effect gradually lessened over time, suggesting that people adapted to the circumstances and their “new normal”.
Most people have resorted to purchasing and online businesses which has in some cases gotten them disappointed. Eleanor Kebua is a young Cameroonian based in Douala who decided to buy online and get the good delivered to her home to respect all barrier measures to survive COVID-19. Upon delivery, Eleanor laments that the goods she received was not quite what she ordered for. She had no choice than to remain with the fabric. Like Eleanor, Sandrine Nahnyounga requested for a dress online and when it was delivered, she posted on her social Media Handle what I ordered vs what I got. Lamenting that it didn't meet her expectation. Never the less other have hard luck in their purchase and delivery.
More so, the pandemic has cancelled trips and traveling opportunities and conferences and has seen a rise in the holding of virtual meetings. The use of the social media has risen as most people have resorted to using their phones and internet for longer hours than they use to do. With this use has equally come a rise in misinformation.
Talking to Ngala Desmond country Director for Defyhatenow a youth led organization which fights against Hatespeech, fake news, misinformation gets, who holds that users must be cautious with what they receive online and every surfer must develop a Fact-Checkers mindset.
Once they receive any information, it is important that they verify before sharing, look out for forwarded as received messages, check and double check the sources before they go on to share, Ngala added. He furthered that if all surfers and pay just such attention then the internet would be a safe space for us all.
By Amamboh Carrey-Pride
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