COVID-19 Pandemic: Scientists Report 8 Behavioral Pitfalls In Adherence To Preventive Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging human biology, the capacity of hospitals with acute care, and several other aspects such as communication network and financial resilience of economies. Although preventive strategies to reduce disease transmission have been followed, a recent study has pointed out 8 pitfalls of judgment. Being aware of these can help make behavioral modifications to fight the deadly novel coronavirus.

“Strategies for reducing transmission have included repeated hand washing, physical distancing, and self-isolation. These preventive strategies are immediately available, highly affordable, and distinctly effective; however, a major challenge is the need to maintain adherence,” said the researchers in their paper published in The Lancet Public Health.

Here are the pitfalls of judgment listed in the study:

1. Fear of the unknown

People might be paying more attention to unknown risks compared to regular events. It is the psychological response to threats like COVID-19 that is mysterious. Intense sensitivity to such unknown threats is very common and they arise at the root of fear-based psychopathologies. COVID-19 was first denoted as coronavirus of unknown origin and this has raised an ominous specter of unseen troubles. But with time, the mystery and newness of the disease will fade and reduce all the attention. It is important to make creative reminders after the initial shock fades and be as vigilant as to when it was all new.

2. Personal embarrassment

People have endless reflexive habitual actions that they cannot easily suppress. A lapse in following preventative strategies, such as avoiding self-touching behaviors, can be interpreted as a personal failure and people start feeling ashamed. The authors' advice is to acknowledge that this is normal behavior and to use celebrity patients to lessen stigma.

3. Neglect of competing risk

People tend to focus completely on COVID-19 and end up neglecting less important considerations. In the process of over-focusing on a potential hazard could make people neglect everyday practices that can affect their health. They urge the public to practice good sleeping habits, eat healthily, exercise regularly, and take care of mental health.

4. Invisible diseases

COVID-19 receives attention because it has an objective test to establish the diagnosis. Whereas, there aren’t any such tests for mental health disorders. Physical distancing carries a downside of potentially increasing domestic frictions and psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, depression, and substance abuse.

5. No Clear feedback

The long incubation period includes a protracted wait time between implementing intervention and finding out the results. Time delays can lead to psychosomatic symptoms and a sense of impending doom in the early stages of the crisis.

6. Status quo bias

Human behavior is driven by a strong aversion to losses, it kindles a desire to maintain the status quo. Such a desire for the status quo can drive the public to do dangerous things like giving up social distancing measures. The authors urge public health experts to emphasize future gains in order to help people understand the benefits of social distancing.

7. Ingrained societal norms

People might be tempted to greet their loved ones or friends they run into with a hug or a peck on the cheeks. It is very important that the public remember the dangers before doing it. Habits can be difficult to change, but people should keep reminding and highlighting the importance of social distancing to others who have changed behaviors.

8. Hindsight bias

The pandemic will eventually subside but the hindsight bias could lead to castigating healthcare authorities who might have over-reacted to under-reacted. “The collective mentality that we are all in this together was challenging when the COVID-19 pandemic began and might prove as equally difficult to sustain after it is over. Awareness of judgmental pitfalls might help to make things a little easier,” said the authors.