By Eileen Moon | emoon@tworivertimes.com
Though the novel coronavirus, now named Covid-19, isn’t present in the Two River area, some mental health experts find anxiety related to the disease may need to be addressed, particularly with children.
With cases of Covid-19 numbering more than 40,000 worldwide, the federal government has declared a public health emergency and mandated that travelers returning from Hubei province in China, where the virus was first identified, undergo 14 days of quarantine.
As news about the virus floods the airwaves and travels through social media, worries about the disease are taking an emotional toll, particularly on children, said Carol Veizer, founder and director of the NJ Center for Healing Arts in Red Bank.
“The big thing that we see with kids is that they’re worried that their parents are going to die” from the virus, said Veizer, a professional counselor who has worked with children and adults for more than 30 years.
Kids who hear news reports about adults dying from the virus and leaving children behind may fear that they might lose a parent, too.
It’s important to pay attention, said Veizer. If your child is having trouble sleeping, reluctant to go to school or concerned about visiting public places, it’s important to talk with them. “Always begin by asking them what they know about it, what their specific fears are,” Veizer said. Avoiding the subject isn’t helpful, she continued. Sharing the facts with them honestly, in an age-appropriate way, can help them deal with their fears more effectively.
“You could tell them that it’s very unlikely that anyone they know in the United States will get sick and die of the virus,” she said.
It’s also important to reassure them that “we’re doing everything we can to stay healthy. Remind them of what they have within their own power, like washing their hands, not touching their faces,” Veizer added.
Teenagers want and deserve straight answers. “Across the board, they want very frank information,” she said.
A worried parent can make matters worse, because a child may feel that they can’t depend on their parent to keep them safe. “The kids are really feeding off parents’ emotions,” Veizer said.
And adults are definitely feeling the stress. “We’ve had more cancellations than usual,” Veizer said. “Some people are so terrified of contracting the virus that they’re staying home.”
In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has established a task force led by New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli to enhance communication between various government agencies and the medical community.
On Monday, Feb. 10, Persichilli and other government and health officials joined U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) at a press conference to outline steps that are being taken to protect New Jerseyans from the virus and prepare for any potential emergency.
“The fact there has been no significant spread of the coronavirus throughout New Jersey does not mean we should ignore this growing global health care challenge,” Menendez said.
He has urged the Trump Administration to fully fund pandemic preparedness and response efforts. Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee which sets national health policy, said the Trump Administration has repeatedly proposed dramatic budget cuts that could threaten the government’s ability to combat the spread of the virus.
To date, 14 cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed in the United States. The states in which the disease has been confirmed are Washington, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Illinois and Massachusetts.
No cases of the virus have been identified in New Jersey. A Royal Caribbean cruise liner, the Anthem of the Seas, was detained in Bayonne last week while passengers suspected of carrying the virus were tested for the disease. All of the test results were negative.
Five New Jersey residents who had been stranded in China as a result of the emergency returned home last week, including a couple from Monmouth County. The travelers were required to undergo the 14-day mandatory quarantine set by the federal government.
But as the virus spreads, so can false information on social media, so it’s important to make sure the information you’re receiving is accurate. That’s why the NJ Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School has established a 24-hour hotline dedicated to responding to concerns about the coronavirus. The hotline is staffed by medical professionals.
“Calls are continuing to come in,” said Bruce Ruck, managing director of drug information and professional education at the NJ Poison Center. “People still have a lot of questions. Our goal is to provide factual, accurate information. There’s a lot of stuff on social media that may not be accurate.”
What are people worried about?
“People are afraid in general,” Ruck said. “They see some people walking around wearing a mask and they get scared. Their neighbor comes home from a trip to China and they’re nervous about that. People still have a lot of concerns.”
Despite the level of anxiety caused by the coronavirus, it’s the flu virus that poses the biggest threat right now. And the best way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands and avoid touching your face.
The New Jersey Coronavirus Hotline is staffed by medical professionals and available 24 hours a day. Call the hotline at 800-222-1222 with any question or concerns you may have about the disease.
The article originally appeared in the February 13-19, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
