COVID-19 stress affecting many people: U of R professor

COVID-19 isn’t just affecting people physically in 2020.

The global pandemic has been causing a lot of stress on people. Dr. Gordon Asmundson, a psychology professor at the University of Regina, says according to the research that has been compiled, about 50 per cent of people in Canada and the United States are in significant distress from COVID-19.

“We do know the primary feature of this stress — it’s fear; fears of the dangerousness of  COVID-19 and becoming infected. It’s also related to the 24/7 coverage of the pandemic and not being able to separate ourselves from it,” Asmundson told 980 CJME’s Greg Morgan Morning Show on Tuesday.

While Asmundson said there isn’t any data for each separate province, he said Saskatchewan is probably seeing lower levels of stress relating to COVID-19.

“We do have lower numbers so I think the immediate stress and distress is a little bit less,” Asmundson said.

But the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise in the province, with 106 new cases reported from Saturday to Monday alone.

The topic of mandatory masks is a hot button issue in Saskatchewan, with people for and against it.

“Sometimes those who are not wearing them are not wearing them simply because they have overlooked taking one to the store. We’re lucky to live in a society where we have a lot of freedoms but public health measures, which are really important in curbing the spread of this virus, are also putting some limitations on those freedoms,” Asmundson said. “The masks become a visible representation of that.”

He said it’s important for people to find a way to unplug from the constant COVID-19 barrage on social media.

Asmundson said people should get outside for a bit or do some exercise. He also says it’s important for people to continue to find ways to connect with others.