The world in lockdown: Unprecedented challenges and after-effects

Abstract

COVID 19 pandemic has spread around all the corners of the globe. Many countries have adopted social distancing and imposed the nationwide lockdown to prevent human to human transmission. lockdown has proven effective in controlling outbreak but confinement at home is associated with several side effects. lockdown affects the physical, mental and social health of the people. Many chronic diseases and conditions are caused by physical inactivity. Due to mandatory home stay, unavoidably people have spent and are still spending long time on watching television, online gaming or social networking. Eradicating hunger and malnutrition are still a challenge to world. COVID 19 has increased food insecurity and further exposed the people to malnutrition. Prolonged lockdown or prolonged stay at home along with an unhealthy dietary habit of people and sedentary lifestyle will further magnify the risk of obesity. The pandemic and the related containment measures— namely quarantine, social distancing, and self-isolation—can have a detrimental impact on mental health. During this lockdown people are not only dealing with health crisis but also suffering from financial loss. Authorities at global and national level should create awareness among people and also find efficient remedies to prevent the undesirable after-effects of lockdown.