Why do many people feel immune from covid

Various policies have been implemented to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The governments of several cities have even acted decisively in limiting the activities of residents in their areas. However, in the midst of such great prevention efforts, it turns out that not a few are still ignoring these regulations and feel immune from COVID-19.

People who feel immune from COVID-19 do not lack information about this pandemic. They are experiencing a psychological phenomenon that is common, but often seldom realized. Consider the following information to understand the phenomenon in question and how to solve it.

Why would anyone ignore the dangers of COVID-19?

Whether there is a pandemic or not, it needs to be acknowledged that people usually only comply with health recommendations when they know that they are at risk of getting sick. If not, they tend to behave as normal without realizing the dangers that loom over.

Of late, reports of violations social distancing perhaps more populated by young adults. It is not surprising, because since the coronavirus outbreak first appeared, you have been told that the most vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 are the elderly.

While this is true, there are negative effects that come along with it. Not a few young adults finally feel immune from COVID-19 because they consider themselves very healthy. In fact, no one is immune from this disease.

This phenomenon does not only occur in pandemics. Catherine Potard, a psychologist from the University of Angers, France, made a study with her colleagues. They studied drunk driving behavior in young adults.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,024,298

Confirmed

831,330

Recovered

28,855

DeathDistribution Map

Their research refers to the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). According to this theory, your behavior can be predicted from your goals. However, your goals can also be influenced by three factors: attitudes, other people's opinions, and how confident you can control yourself.

According to Potard, the TPB theory has a drawback, namely that it does not address risk. Potard's study participants knew the dangers of drunk driving, but they were very confident they wouldn't have an accident. In fact, the risk of an accident is very high if you drive while drunk.

In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people feel immune because they are still young. Most young adults also do not suffer from illnesses like the elderly and consider themselves "too healthy" to catch COVID-19.

In fact, anyone can catch COVID-19 if they don't take preventive measures. You can even catch it from a patient who is asymptomatic, or through contact with items contaminated with the virus.

Why do so many disobey social distancing ?

Although the government and medical personnel are actively campaigning social distancing , reports regarding residents who are active in the crowd are still circulating. Some are forced because they have to make a living, but some are deliberately looking for entertainment.

Scientists call this behavior a psychological reactance. Reactance can occur when a person feels their freedom is being taken away. In this case, many people feel deprived of freedom after application social distancing and lockdown .

When a person feels that his freedom is being taken away, he tends to try to take it back. For example, when a child is prohibited from running on a slippery floor, he will feel curious and instead do what is forbidden.

In the case of COVID-19, when a person or group of residents is asked to stay at home, they feel that they are not free and want to travel. They also not only ignore the advice of medical personnel, but also carry out the opposite activities that can increase the risk of transmission.

How to deal with people who feel immune from COVID-19

Psychological reactance is a very common behavior. You may also have done it without realizing it. In fact, this kind of behavior is sometimes seen as funny when it is done by children.

However, ignoring health advice in the midst of a pandemic can actually endanger you and those you care about. The desire to break the rules social distancing seemingly simple ones can actually exacerbate the spread of the plague.

If the people closest to you do not want to take preventive measures, try to overcome them by frequently providing them with information about COVID-19. Also provide the latest news about patients who are seriously ill and must be treated intensively in the hospital.

Provide information that makes them aware that COVID-19 is lurking around everyone. Even if they feel healthy, no one is completely immune from COVID-19.

You can set a good example by washing your hands, being healthy, and applying social distancing . Give the understanding that all this is not only for them, but also the people they love.