Dealing with anxiety and stress in light of COVID-19

The novel coronavirus has a long list of terrifying characteristics, spurring people from Japan to Europe to the US to engage in panic buying, devour news coverage, steal hand sanitiser and face masks. Many fret that a throat tickle might mean a fatal illness, enter prepper mode or otherwise succumb to COVID-19 anxiety.

COVID-19 distress has reached such levels that the World Health Organisation on Tuesday issued guidelines for protecting mental health during the outbreak. “Avoid watching, reading or listening to news that cause you to feel anxious or distressed; seek information mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones,” the advice reads. “Seek information updates at specific times during the day once or twice. The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel worried.”