PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 27, 2020) – As faces of the new COVID-19 world begin to emerge, and the impact on life’s various aspects continues to develop, one thing is sure: the world as we knew it has changed. Health, education, and economic costs are vast. Psychologically, all segments of society are likely experiencing different types of issues rooted from the virus, such as general anxiety and depression, for starters. For many, extreme stress is visible from employment uncertainty and economic losses. The last such major life-altering event in the United States was 9/11. COVID-19, however, has had a farther-reaching impact, touching every American in the country and overseas.

COVID-19 has messed with generational and family dynamics. Now, the young have become potentially deadly to the old. But socio-psychologically, these two demographics need each other. The separation is not suitable for either, especially the elderly who often extend their lives and thrive mentally from being around young people. Social isolation is most unhealthy for seniors and arguably more deadly to their psyche and quality of life than any virus. Young people also need extra love, care, and encouragement that many seniors give, filling those emotional gaps left by busy or unavailable parents.

On family outcomes, what is the impact? In an unprecedented manner, young persons have many unstructured days and are forced to stay at home and learn online, if they learn at all. The academic gaps? The loss of social ceremonies, like graduation, prom, socials, and athletics? Will there be more positives than negatives from this extra time at home? More abuse? And, are some parents just getting to know who their children really are by being forced to stay in with them? Extra time at home can accelerate fractures in family dynamics that are already fragile.

The United States now looks like Europe with empty houses of worship. Can churches survive the economic impact of closing their doors? For many, the church would be where answers and assurance could be found for times like these; that crucial reminder that God would see them through. Who would have imagined a day, in Godā€™s country, when the doors of the church would be closed? Without the congregational ā€˜hallelujahs,ā€™ it is hard to tell if that pastor believes what he is saying about his God being in control. Online church just doesnā€™t cut it.

Gun and ammunition sales have soared with COVID-19, so we can likely expect a criminal justice surge. Persons are arming themselves in case desperation drives others to crime. We know for a fact that more guns in circulation mean more lethal violence, including domestic violence, more completed suicides by men, and more accidental shootings involving children. It is likely accurate to assume that as more persons feel direct and indirect economic pains, crime will increase. Also, will more persons turn to illicit drugs to ā€˜surviveā€™ the times?

We know that ā€˜the devil finds work for idle hands,ā€™ given the many youngsters who are already restless with all of their new-found free time. Delinquency is typically most prevalent starting in the hours after school. Now, there is no school, so trouble from bored youth, such as vandalism and other disruptions, could happen at any time, slowed only by loose limits on the size of gatherings and the fact that more people are walking around neighborhoods these days.

COVID-19 has brought to the forefront what emergency managers have known for some time: we are not ready for a pandemic. Experts can tell you that it was merely a matter a time, given our increasingly global world. Corona is not a new family of virusesā€¦we had the warnings of SARS and MERS. And indeed, we watched this COVID-19 health tsunami begin in Wuhan, China, in November 2019 and head this way. Yet, as if in a fog, as a nation, we moved slowly. We did not stock up on testing kits or personal protective equipment for health workers and others. Our infrastructure was not ready. We were distracted by other things that entertained us. After all, this thing was ā€˜Chineseā€™ and a world away. Who knew viruses had ethnicity?

This season has magnified some significant points:

  1. We all need access to quality healthcare, regardless of what politicians tell us.
  2. We are our brotherā€™s keeper; my actions and my decision to stay at home can save lives.
  3. This season will come to pass.

    Camille Gibson, PhD, CRC

    Camille Gibson, PhD, CRC

The United States is a resilient place. Many of us believe that in a matter of time, this great country will have a solution. We have faced other challenges before and won! There is also the promise that once we get past the anxieties, our creativities will soar.

And so, here we are, engaging in ā€˜socialā€™ distancing, the most unusual thing for humans to do. Come what may, in time, we will simply just need to be, that is, to continue with our lives as best and as safely as we know how to do.

Camille Gibson, PhD, CRC, is Interim Dean of the College of Juvenile Justice & Psychology at Prairie View A&M University and Executive Director of the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center.