Daily Times

Bon Jovi is a rockstar with millions of fans. Self-isolated in New Jersey with his family, he decided to contribute. Through community kitchens, they distribute food to the needy. Since COVID-19 has caused a shortage of workers, he decided to help as a dishwasher. A step down for a star loved by millions onstage. His wife captured the moment on camera. Asked, “What you doin?” Bon Jovi replied, “If you can’t do what you do, you do what you can!” A simple answer saying much. It has gone viral and is the title of his new song.

It’s a way to keep sane. Maintaining mental health is vital; as important as physical health. It is a much-ignored area. These are weird times when our ways of life are crumbling in front of us, and we can’t do anything. It is distressing, unsettling and causing extreme levels of anxiety.

COVID-19 is spreading like fire on dry grass with the wind behind it. No one is immune. Countries around the world are at various levels of lockdown or self-isolation. Health workers are suffering from exhaustion, both emotional and physical. There is no respite in sight: cure or vaccine.

The infected are dying without dear ones standing close. Funerals are without family. Health workers sleep in garages to avoid infecting their families. Life, as we knew it, is in total disarray and under assault. What is it leading to? This anguish is seriously challenging our emotional and mental well-being.

Millions of jobs have been lost. Unemployment is soaring. Poor Pakistanis have no savings. Restricted, how will they feed their families? Businesses are falling like nine pins. A friend of mine is a “Host” for Air BnB. He leveraged his house and his assets to buy ten properties. Now, these properties are empty and all mortgages are past due. He could lose everything built over decades. Last week, he wanted to end his life! We talked him out of it for now but there are millions of similar cases around the world.

Being cooped up at home is turning into a pressure cooker. Fear evokes different reactions. At times, it is anger. Some folks are turning violent. There is a huge spike in domestic violence, 30 to 70 per cent in some countries. It is being called a “domestic abuse pandemic.” Vulnerable partners are forced to spend time with their abusers. After two murders, France has started paying for hotel rooms for the victims. There are too many dark tales to share in one article.

The answer is simple. COVID-19 spreads through contact and droplets. If we maintain physical distance (min six feet) to allow droplets to fall to the ground and avoid touching surfaces in public places, this damn thing will disappear in four weeks. Instead, we are opting for anxiety and distress.

I spoke to my friend, Dr Nauman Qureshi, a renowned psychologist. Western-educated, with wide experience having practised in Canada and Pakistan. He explained that self-isolation is, at best, an intervention strategy. It will work in the short term and stop the spread. Working from home over time has diminishing returns. It strains relationships and leads to substance abuse. His solution: Accept new realities and adjust. Seek small joys that please and distract you. Exercise, grow vegetables, read and most importantly, keep hoping.

Dr Sohail Abbas, another psychologist friend, earned his PhD from France and has 30+ years of experience in Pakistan and Canada. His take: COVID-19 has created paranoia and uncertainty. Restrictions lead to viewing those who look different as potential enemies. Anger at Chinese in the US or Shias in Pakistan is a manifestation of this fear.

These are weird times when our ways of life are crumbling in front of us, and we can’t do anything

He elaborated that when an individual’s habit equilibrium is disturbed, it causes anxiety, depression and, in some cases, PTSD. It is huge. People have to manage this change. Reach out for help or give help and heal others. It gives satisfaction. Make a three-month timeline. This will give a new horizon.

My friend, Dr Anis Shehzad, a family physician in Canada, counselled, using this time to bond with the family while avoiding arguments. Plan the future with your family and stay active physically.

All three doctors strongly advised to break the habit of news addiction, curtail TV and social media watching on COVID-19.

In Pakistan, we still have the family structure intact. It is a huge blessing. The most challenged are those who are alone. Let us focus on positive things. Our environment is improving, ozone is recovering, waterways are cleaner and pollution is down.

I have great faith in human ingenuity, science, scientists and the good within people. Nations are galvanising to overcome this humungous challenge. Dr James Crowe, in the US, has isolated the virus-cell; recovering antibodies from infected and cured patients. His manufacturers and he hope to produce a cure by June. View everything in a three-month horizon. Industries are churning out masks, protective gears and respirators using innovative techniques. The powerful engines of economic revival will start.

Generosity is kicking in. The wealthy are contributing; food is being provided. Pakistani elite, as always, are behind the curve. They have to step up at this time of distress and help heal their neighbours, their families and friends. Please hear Dr Amjad Saqib of Akhuwat’s message being circulated. Solutions are there, we just need to find them. Mobilise now, believe me, this too shall pass. For now, as Bon Jovi says, “Do what you can!”

The writer is the director of CERF, a non-profit, charitable organisation in Canada