SOME might say it’s too early to think of the social consequences and downfall of the COVID-19 virus but it’s a reality we’d have to one day face when this pandemic finishes. This outbreak reminds me of the HIV/AIDS epidemic the world faced in the 1980s. To think, our ignorance might be the death of us before a virus can get to us is scary.

The misconceptions of the HIV/AIDS outbreak is still deeply embedded in our society today. BBC News reported on a survey that was carried out in 2016, with 2,000 respondents. It suggests that 20 percent of the respondents still believe that it can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or saliva, 29 percent were not aware that if you use your prescribed medication you cannot pass it onto your child and only 39 percent were aware that HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted through sex if a person is using their effective treatment as prescribed.

I explained that bit of information to make a comparison to the way we now speak on COVID-19. We need to keep up with the circulation of information both nationally and internationally. Like HIV/AIDs, there is already a great deal of stigmatisation of persons. Do you down-talk on Asian people in public? Is there a solid reason a part of the COVID-19 outbreak as to why you stopped purchasing from the Chinese supermarkets? How will be treat recovered patients of this virus? Will they too be stigmatised in our society? These issues will add to our existing social problems of Guyana. Are we prepared for that? Yes, we most certainly take things one step at a time but I do hope that this article comes in handy when we’re examining the after-effects of such an outbreak.

By now, everyone probably knows the word quarantine and its meaning. It is of utmost importance that we obey this mandatory precaution when told to do so. Quarantine AKA isolation is the best way to stop further spread of this virus (apart from washing your hands). However, what about the effects of long term isolation? No one can truly tell the impact of what will be the social outcome of this but for now. On the flip side, we saw what neglecting the health aspect of this outbreak did; prevention is surely better than cure. How will this impact our relationships with others outside of our household? How will schools and semesters be impacted due to the pushback of reopening dates? Are private businesses prepared to pay their employees so that they can stay home in case our country orders mandatory nationwide quarantine? If no, how will that impact the family members of that person’s family?

I wanted to speak and open perspectives to this conversation because, at the end of the day, people like myself (social workers and social work students) will have to render services to help those in social needs after this epidemic passes. Before this crisis, workers were already overworked and some even burn out (from personal experiences and conversations). What then, will happen to these workers with all of these new cases? Another important point to note is that social issues are oftentimes interrelated. As such, when there is a spike in one, there will most likely be a spike in other related issues. I have asked a lot of rhetorical questions because even I’d like for us all to ponder a bit on them. We might not have the answers as yet but they should at least be at the back of our minds. I also hope the Ministry of Social Protection, Social Cohesion and Public Health take heed to this consequential topic of discussion. With that said, I hope everyone remains safe, abide by precautions of the World Health Organization and lastly, keep these social concerns at the back of your mind. There’s no reason to be fearful, we can do this Guyana, together; we can do anything.