The scientists have outlined the following pitfalls, “reported by psychological science”, and potential solutions in an editorial piece for The Lancet:

• Fear of the unknown: The initial panic of the ominous coronavirus may spur people to comply with restrictions. Once this calms down, adherence could start fading. The scientists therefore recommend officials repeatedly remind the public what is expected of them
• Shame: People may be ashamed if they lapse into behaviours that put them at risk, like touching their face with unwashed hands. Officials could use celebrities who have overcome the coronavirus, like Tom Hanks, as a way of “mitigating stigma”. People should be reassured lapses are natural, so long as they then return to “best behaviours”
• Neglecting other aspects of health: The coronavirus can feel all-consuming. Tunnel vision may cause people to neglect sleep, exercise or healthy eating habits. Doctors should advise patients to continue looking after themselves during lockdown
• Ignoring “invisible mental diseases”: The coronavirus has a test that leads to a diagnosis. Social isolation, however, could trigger “invisible” issues like depression and anxiety. The scientists want to see increased mental-health support, despite reduced access to in-person services
• Frustration: It will take time before the fruits of our lockdown labour lead to downward death rates. Officials should advise against people reading too much into sudden spikes or drops in the data to avoid “random volatility being mistaken for a real trend”
• Desire to return to the status quo: Life may feel unsettling at the moment, but the scientists have stressed it is an opportunity to refocus. Down the line, officials could learn lessons from the pandemic to reassess how healthcare systems operate
• Ingrained norms: People are used to greeting loved ones, caring for grandparents and dining with friends. With this not being easy to change, the scientists want to see “slogans and images” reiterating how we should be social distancing. Medics could spread this information as “role models” to their patients, they added. The World Health Organization previously recommended people greet with a bow
• Hindsight bias: Once the pandemic has passed, authorities may come under fire for over or under reacting. While some criticism could be “correct and justified”, the ever-evolving outbreak can make it difficult to judge the best way to act at the time. “A collective mentality that we are all in this together may prove difficult but highly useful,” wrote the scientists

“Following the strong initial reactions to such a challenging and difficult time, awareness of judgmental pitfalls might help maintain things on the right path,” said co-author Professor Eldar Shafir.

• Credit :Yahoo Style UK