Section 6: Inequalities and COVID-19

Advising people to self-isolate risks serious social and psychological harm. Quarantine of people exposed to an infectious disease is associated with negative psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress symptoms. (Douglas MK, Srinivasa; Taulbut, Martin; McKee Martin; McCartney, Gerry. Mitigating the wider health effects of covid-19 pandemic response. BMJ. 2020;369. (opens new window))

The effects are exacerbated by prolonged and multiple isolation episodes, fear, frustration, boredom, financial loss, bereavement and stigma. When quarantine is voluntary, the effects are less and impact is also mitigated with clear and rapid communication and when the period is short, and people are protected from financial loss. This has not been the case with COVID-19 and we know that for many the pandemic has had a very negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing.