SOCIAL BUBBLE & COVID-19

The above title to the ensuing article can be interpreted in many different ways. But if we go by its meaning responsibly it may provide large benefits. It has been months since people have been able to lead their life normally-walk around, roam around, travel, party, play and all other stuffs. Many have been longing to meet their dear ones, hug them and spend some quality time with them. This only because of the enforced lockdown by respective governments to safeguard their nation against the community spread of COVID-19. However, it is being touted that governments in some nations are planning to give some freedom to their citizens.

It is in our bigger interest to keep ourselves as much isolated as possible. The idea behind is to act in the shoes of a COVID-19 patient and maintain a significant physical barrier with the remaining population. As it is impossible for each one of us to behave similarly as desired because of various behavioural and sociological reasons we have been put under ENFORCED LOCKDOWN. But such a long period is somewhat that was never imagined. It could have been in times of war or some geographical calamity. But such a situation will be caused by an intruder that is unseen to the naked eyes was never ever thought of.

Long period of social isolation has resulted in many adverse psychological and behavioural changes in individuals. Common symptoms are-

• Lack of concentration
• Disturbed sleep cycle
• Emotional breakdown
• Improper eating habits

These are enough to lay a foundation stone for any physiological or psychological chronic disorder. Though our civil defence services, medical staffs along with various NGO’s and other social organizations are working incessantly for relief measures.

Results obtained from the enforced lockdown are quite encouraging. India, New Zealand, Australia are few nations who been waging a successful battle against the deadly contagion. On the other hand, the USA also known as the world power failed abysmally by not imposing lockdown. It has gained the title of an emerging CORONA HOTSPOT with more than a million infected people within its border.

Bubble by definition is a thin sphere of liquid containing some gas. But this lockdown has drawn our attention to a concept known as a SOCIAL BUBBLE. Knowingly or unknowingly previously also we all had been a part of it. The only difference is it used to expand or contract or burst very frequently. It might intrigue you, so let us understand what exactly does it mean.

Social bubble is a group of people such that there will exist social interactions amongst the members of that social group only.

Being an island the best way to tackle is to close its international travel, New Zealand did not report even a single case of CORONA for a day in the previous week. Also, the rate of infection as also considerably reduced. Thus, to tackle the issues of behavioural and psychological imbalances government of New Zealand under its Prime Minister Jacinda Arden is deciding to allow social bubble formation. Each person will be given an option to list the names of their contacts with whom they want to be in social interaction. For example, a person may be allowed to interact, meet or visit only 10 members that have been listed by that particular person. Also, they will have to maintain the same code of conduct as was being done during lockdown while they continue to lead a normal life- beaches, restaurants, offices, etc.

This will have a significant impact on the re-opening of the economy and social life. This social bubble will gradually expand depending upon the defeat of coronavirus until and unless there is some permanent cure discovered or invented. However, this social bubble is also expected to become a new normal which will contain the following-

• Work from home
• Aversion from unwanted travels.
• Online teachings
• Restricted and small social gatherings
• Emphasis on cleanliness
• Judicious use of natural resources
• Self-dependency
• Freelancing, and many others.

A similar approach is also planned by Australia. Both Australia and New Zealand are in discussion to launch the Travel bubble. Both the countries being an island geographically very close to each other will allow a regulated tourism between the two nations.

Likewise, many European countries- Belgium, Scotland and Ireland are planning to implement the same. Recently a memo was leaked expressing Belgium’s interest to implement the Social bubble scheme.

It must be borne in mind that the approach may vary from country to country in terms of size, nature and duration. There are many variables upon which the implementation and success of social bubble exists- Geographical area, rate of spread of corona infection, the lifestyle of people, a medical facility in case of relapse/ outbreak, availability of Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPEs), Purchasing Power Parity, Food supply and stock and many others.

As of now, maintaining and encouraging the social distancing is the only available best possible weapon against Corona. Let us stay united and healthy.