As U.S. states ease up their coronavirus lockdown, they’re seeing a resurgencein new COVID-19 cases.
Overall, it seems as though a resurgence of the coronavirus outbreak is looming in the future — and that has experts worried that a massive psychological toll may come with it, according to the Washington Examiner.
“I think a second wave would be devastating for a lot of people,” University of Connecticut psychologist Crystal Park told the Examiner. “There is a sense that we have been through a really terrible, traumatic time, and we are now in a phase of reopening and recovery.”
For what it’s worth, the phrase “second wave” is a bit of a misnomer: while coronavirus infections dropped in some states, the U.S. never really beat its first outbreak, compared to other countries which stamped it out decisively. It’s all part of one, long, unconquered pandemic.
That said, living in lockdown has led to an increase of reported anxiety and depression, and Park told the Examiner that going back into lockdown for round two could be even more emotionally taxing than the first time.
Park explained that a resurgence might “provoke a whole new and perhaps deeper sense of fear and uncertainty.”
“We would be feeling like we are retraumatized and likely more distressed and hopeless than the first time around,” Park told the site.