Ease Solitary Life

Prioritise people who live alone to return to workplaces should they wish to. Additionally, prioritise people who live alone in the first wave of exit strategy to visit one another’s houses (social distancing can be easily maintained).

Why the contribution is important

The mental health effects of solitary life is crushing. I’m confident that there will be almost countless numbers of research articles evidencing this.

People are sociable creatures. Isolation is extremely unhealthy for those on their own. Sure it must be irritating at times being ‘locked up’ with others, but at least you have the necessity of companionship.

People living alone can easily observe social distancing with others in their house (or garden if they are fortunate enough to own one). There is the space. Plus if you are visited by other solo people, then the infection rate, should it happen, will be lower, as you will not be passing it on to others within households.

If people can return to work, then solo lovers have less responsibility at home, and arguably benefit hugely from being allowed back to the workplace. I stress though that this should not be enforced on anyone - it should still be personal choice.

by suburbanscot on May 05, 2020 at 06:29PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.1
Based on: 16 votes

Comments

  • Posted by nellhendrick May 05, 2020 at 19:29

    Excellent idea!

  • Posted by Sas65 May 06, 2020 at 11:33

    The impact of isolation cannot be underestimated, especially for individuals who do not work and/ or are already suffering from some low level mental disorder. The short and long term effect on mental health will be impossible to quantify or redress. Mental health services pre Covid were grossly inadequate and have no capacity to absorb all the additional damage which is and continues to be done. Helplines are not the way out of this, proper counselling and therapy services will be necessary but this has to be face to face to be of use. People who are in enforced solitary confinement need to have some sort of priority in terms of easing lockdown to allow them some proper face to face social contact and minimise the damage being done.

  • Posted by markymalarky May 07, 2020 at 16:28

    Certainly , living alone during this time is challenging , and can manifest itself in poor mental health and wellbeing. I would welcome all actions that can help alleviate this isolation . social bubbles , greater outdoor time in small social distancing groups etc .

  • Posted by as1 May 11, 2020 at 19:55

    It should be a top priority to help those living alone to avoid complete isolation.
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