Coronavirus — The End Of Quarantine, The Aftermath, And Picking Up The Pieces
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The coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to significant changes in culture and lifestyle worldwide. To understand these complexities, it may be helpful to look at the end of the coronavirus quarantine, the aftermath of weeks of living indoors (often without working), the emotional toll COVID-19 has taken on families around the world, and what picking up the pieces might look like for Americans.
The complex impact of COVID-19
Since 2020, the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has taken a global toll on individuals, families, cities, states, municipalities, and citizens worldwide. The number of coronavirus cases and survivors of the virus since the beginning of the pandemic has increased to millions.
While there are numerous cases of the deadly virus active worldwide in 2023, some countries, cities, and states have decided that it is in the best interests of their rapidly failing economies to lift local quarantine and lockdown orders.
In some cases, these reversals are coming in complete opposition to medical advice and recommendations from world public health officials like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Impacts of coronaviruses on society
Below are a few of the impacts COVID-19 has had since its beginning.
Social distancing as the new normal
With strict rules for no public contact in place and social distancing mandates that required people to stay at least six feet apart from strangers, some businesses around the US closed in 2020 and 2021. Others defied federal and state orders that mandated they remained closed, opening for business anyway — to keep their businesses from permanently closing.
In the US, states like Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee were the first to lift mandatory quarantine and lockdown orders. The states had special rules in place for public contact and social distancing requirements. The state reopened additional services in Georgia to bolster the essential services that remained open during the lockdown, like barbershops and movie theaters.
On April 24th, 2020, Governor Kemp of Georgia issued a statewide order that kept the state under an official state of emergency while relaxing rules and restrictions on what businesses and services were allowed to open. Some cities and states were reopening, while others remained closed, fearing the coronavirus.
No work for weeks: The financial aftermath
Amid a nationwide quarantine or lockdown, the coronavirus took a toll on survivors, families, and front-line health workers. National lockdown orders sent millions home from jobs, with some being laid off and others not being able to return. For that reason, some Americans felt the financial impact of being unable to go to work or run their businesses for weeks.
A few federal, state, and local programs stepped up to the plate to offer options and financial relief to individual workers and businesses hit hard by COVID-19. The Small Business Administration offered reduced-cost loan options for small businesses for a time.
Federal and state unemployment programs have also offered relief options for individuals and families financially impacted by the coronavirus. The CARES Act, a federal mandate enacted in response to the coronavirus, offered provisions for non-traditional workers to receive unemployment benefits until the economy somewhat recovered.
Lockdown: The emotional aftermath of the virus
The physical and financial toll the coronavirus has taken on the world has led to emotional fallout as people wonder how they may begin picking up the pieces of their lives. Children and adults experiencing chronic mental health conditions before the emergence of COVID-19 may have missed several appointments, medication refills, and follow-up care due to the lockdown or quarantine restrictions in place.
The medical and mental health communities waged their responses to the coronavirus, lockdown, and quarantine by making more options available for people to participate in telehealth, such as video, chat, and telephone therapy. These virtual health options may make it easier for people experiencing the emotional effects of the coronavirus to receive support without worrying about leaving home and getting COVID-19.
However, some people may be confused about what rules, laws, and mandates apply to their area. Others may be receiving mixed messages about whether COVID-19 is subsiding or worsening. Families that have been under quarantine for weeks on end may have discovered the cracks in their foundation and seek professional emotional support.
Vaccines: Protection against COVID-19 and the impact of coronaviruses
Vaccinations against COVID-19 began in December of 2020 following extensive clinical trials. As mass vaccinations rolled out, many states, countries, and territories were able to reduce the required lockdown intensity.
People were able to begin resuming more of their normal activities while still following safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
How to pick up the pieces after the initial shock of COVID-19
For some, significant impacts of COVID-19 remain into 2023 and 2024, causing physical, financial, and emotional burdens. If this pandemic has impacted you, you're not alone. Several resources have been designed to help you recover and find support.
An online search by keyword may provide you with contact information for local, state, and federal agencies offering support to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus on US citizens. You might also consider therapy if you struggle with emotional or chronic mental health concerns.
Where to find support for the impact of coronavirus
The providers and resources listed below have all made accommodations to their services to continue to provide virtual, distance, and no-contact-based services for Americans who may be under quarantine, lockdown, or shelter-in-place orders.
Find more resources in your local area by completing an online keyword search for the services or help you need. You can also get the latest updates on what is happening with your state, region, service providers, and more by following their handles or streams on social media. Follow updates on social media (from verified local, state, and federal resources) for the latest updates and happenings on the coronavirus.
The US Department of Labor
The United States Department of Labor may continue to enact new policies and procedures to help people who have been impacted by the coronavirus. Resources from the United States Department of Labor are available, including information on federal unemployment insurance relief for people who have been financially affected by the coronavirus through job loss and layoffs and those directed to quarantine or shelter-in-place. The US Department is a federal agency that can also provide you with contact information for your state and local resources. Contact the USDOL by going to their coronavirus response page.
The US Small Business Administration
The United States Small Business Administration provides resources for small businesses and information on how to receive economic relief when affected by the coronavirus. The US Small Business Administration may offer financial assistance via the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Assistance. You can also contact them directly on their website.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a social services organization that provides counseling and support for survivors of domestic violence. This national agency operates a call center available to support individuals via chat, phone, and the Hotline website 24 hours a day. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-7233 or visiting their website.
The National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a social services agency that helps people with mental illness find support and treatment options for chronic mental health conditions. NAMI provides counseling resources, mental health education, and support services by phone from Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm EST. Contact NAMI at 1-800-950-6264 or by visiting their help page.
Additional coronavirus resources and public health-related information
Below are additional resources to keep in mind
United States Coronavirus Website
Online therapy platforms can help with stress caused by COVID
Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp offer the chance to connect with licensed mental health professionals from home. You can talk to a professional therapist about your concerns, fears, and other questions about how the coronavirus impacts your life.
Unlike traveling to a traditional in-person therapist's office, meeting with an online counselor doesn't require commuting or interacting with other people in a therapist's office building, so you may be less likely to expose yourself to COVID-19. You can connect with a provider online using phone, video, or live chat methods, and you can use other tools, such as online group sessions.
What does the research say about online therapy for coronavirus stress?
Studies have also backed up the effectiveness of internet-based interventions since the COVID-19 pandemic. One study found that online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and internet-based eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) were significantly effective for those facing trauma during the pandemic. 55% of participants with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges reported reduced trauma symptoms after treatment.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Can you go back to normal after COVID?
The majority of people with mild to moderate cases of COVID experience an active illness period lasting one to two weeks. After this period, symptoms mostly diminish, and most people will likely feel as they did before contracting the virus. Some people may also experience an asymptomatic course of COVID-19, meaning they test positive for COVID but do not show any symptoms.
While many people feel normal again within weeks, some can experience lingering symptoms for months after they recover from the acute phase of the illness. When symptoms persist longer than a couple weeks, it may indicate that the original infection has turned into long COVID.
What are the 12 symptoms of long COVID?
In 2021, the National Institutes of Health launched the Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery Project (RECOVER) to investigate why some people develop long-lasting symptoms that persist well after COVID’s acute phase has completed. Searching the most commonly reported symptoms of nearly 10,000 people, the RECOVER team identified 12 symptoms that distinguish long COVID:
- Post-exertional malaise
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Dizziness
- Gut symptoms
- Heart palpitations
- Sexual problems
- Change in smell or taste
- Thirst
- Chronic cough
- Chest pain
- Abnormal movements (twitching or jerking)
Is it normal to feel tired after having COVID or getting vaccines?
Fatigue and malaise are characteristic of both the acute and recovery phases of COVID. Tiredness is most likely within the first couple weeks after infection but can potentially continue for months beyond that point. Ongoing symptoms like fatigue, cough, stomach problems, and trouble concentrating are post-acute sequelae that often appear alongside other long COVID symptoms.
Vaccines against COVID-19 can cause similar symptoms for a couple of days as the body’s immune response activates.
How does COVID affect the brain?
The neuropsychiatric symptoms of COVID-19 include confusion, forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and headaches. Researchers are still searching for the risk factors associated with COVID symptoms that impact the brain. A recent study found that neuroinflammation and blood-brain-barrier dysfunction were unlikely causes of the symptoms. Researchers are now working to determine if virally-induced serotonin depletion plays a role.
See a medical provider for guidance regarding how to best manage brain symptoms related to COVID-19. It may be possible to reduce the severity of COVID’s neurological symptoms by engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding alcohol and drugs, getting enough sleep, and participating in social activities.
What is post-COVID syndrome?
Post-COVID syndrome is an early name for what is now commonly referred to as long COVID. Symptoms of long COVID are varied, and the exact mechanisms behind the long-lasting effects of the virus are still poorly understood. Researchers continue to search for the underlying cause of ongoing health problems linked to COVID.
Commonly reported symptoms of long COVID include:
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Post-exertional malaise (symptoms that worsen after physical or mental effort)
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Headache
- Sleep disturbances
- Dizziness
- Digestive problems
What are severe COVID symptoms?
COVID is a severe illness for some and a minor inconvenience to others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance regarding common COVID symptoms, listed below:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Arguably, the most severe are the respiratory symptoms. COVID is well-known to have caused a serious shortage in medical resources dedicated to stabilizing a patient’s respiratory condition. Research suggests that around 3.2% of COVID patients experienced respiratory distress severe enough to require intubation and artificial ventilation. Although 3.2% may not seem excessive, it is far higher than other respiratory conditions, indicating the relative severity that COVID posed to the respiratory system.
On occasion, COVID can produce post-COVID conditions that are much more severe, such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a rare but serious condition in which different body parts experience inflammation, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal tract.
How long can COVID symptoms last?
Most people will experience remission from their COVID symptoms within a few weeks of the start of the infection. However, some people experience long-lasting symptoms that extend well beyond that period. Healthcare providers commonly refer to a long-lasting COVID presentation as “long COVID.” Symptoms of long COVID can wax and wane in severity over time and may last for years.
How do I get my strength back after COVID?
Returning to exercise routines or other physically demanding activities with caution while recovering from COVID-19 is important. It may be beneficial to start with basic breathing exercises that help increase oxygen-carrying capacity and prepare someone to engage in more demanding activity. If a person is recovering from COVID, they should begin strength-building activities and exercise routines after consultation with a medical professional. In addition, if someone experiences dizziness, excessive shortness of breath, pain in the chest, cool and clammy skin, excessive fatigue, or an irregular heartbeat while working out, they should stop exercising immediately and contact a medical professional.
How do I know if I have COVID rebound?
COVID rebound refers to experiencing a symptom-free period before at least one COVID symptom returns. The aftermath of COVID can sometimes include long-lasting symptoms, but most people experience symptom remission within a couple of weeks. However, sometimes, the symptoms appear to abate before the disease has entirely run its course. Evidence suggests that 30 percent of COVID patients experienced a rebound.
Well-defined criteria that can definitively tell you if you are experiencing a COVID rebound have yet to be developed. However, a rebound is more likely if you experience at least two symptom-free days before at least one symptom returns. If you’re concerned you may be experiencing rebound symptoms, the only way to find answers with certainty is to consult a medical professional.
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