“It is very important to not
have a stigma about COVID.

Stigma prevents people from
getting tested because they
don’t want to be positive. They
don’t want to tell people, don’t
want to quarantine and don’t
want to be blamed.”
—Dr. Kelly Anne Gebo, Johns Hopkins University
to prevent transmission, but we really need
to avoid social separation,” she says.

Feelings of isolation can be overwhelming,
especially for extroverts and people who
thrive on mingling, such as teenagers
“Their whole goal is to interact—it’s part
of development,” says Gebo.

Families, including teens, need to be
active, get plenty of sleep and eat well. Gebo
also recommends meditating or finding
other healthy ways, such as reducing screen
time, to reduce anxiety.

“The mental health impact of this
pandemic is substantial,” she says, adding
that this could be particularly true as we
head into winter. When it’s darker and
colder, it is more important than ever to
find ways to engage with others and stay
connected. Socializing (from a distance) may be
Social impacts
important, but frankly, it can be stressful
Gebo recommends we continue physically
distancing while socially connecting. “During to go out with all these new rules to follow.

“Everything that was easy before now has
this time, we need to be physically separate
isolation? Are we potentially weaken our
immune systems? After all, we’ve been
limiting our exchanges with the world around
us for the past seven months. Will the lack
of challenges to our immune system bring
on more troubles with allergies, asthma or
autoimmune disease?
That’s another misconception I can put
to rest, according to Gebo. She explains
that we shouldn’t see more than typical
numbers, although people with those
diagnoses do need to take extra care to
avoid viruses.

“We are still exposed to environmental
factors—molds, pollens, rodent fecal
matter, etc.—those things do not change,
especially if we at least get out and walk
around outside (as we should),” she says.

10 more steps,” says Gebo, agreeing.

This virus has taxed people emotionally,
mentally and financially. It has strained
family relationships. People are exhausted
and tired of being afraid. But, Gebo says,
“Don’t be scared. Be safe.”
No stigma
Her final note is a good reminder for us all:
“It is also very important to not have a stigma
about COVID,” she says. “Stigma prevents
people from getting tested, because they
don’t want to be positive. They don’t want
to have to tell people, don’t want to have to
quarantine and don’t want to be blamed.”
But she says, “It is important to know,
and to let people know, to further protect
people.” We’re all doing what we can to keep
ourselves and our loved ones safe. It’s
hard—very hard, sometimes. Be kind to one
another, be safe and schedule your flu shot
today. T
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