Answer:
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, is inciting panic for a number of reasons. It’s a new virus, meaning no one has immunity, and there is no vaccine. Its novelty means that scientists aren’t sure yet how it behaves — they have little history to go on. Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled the virus as a pandemic. In the stock market and communities alike, herd mentality is taking over: people are being influenced by one another and letting emotions dictate their behavior, instead of taking a rational approach. (Herd mentality can explain why both the stock market has plummeted and why toilet paper is flying off the shelves, says Henry Ford Health System psychologist Philip Lanzisera, Ph.D.)
Measures are being taken that are unprecedented in recent history: schools are closing, sports teams aren’t playing, vacations are canceled, family gatherings rescheduled. Although these preventative actions are for good reason, they can also partly explain why people are getting worried.
“These are appropriate things to do, but it’s understandably frightening because nothing like this has happened in our lifetime,” says Dr. Lanzisera. “It’s human to be anxious. At the same time, there are lots of reasons not to be scared. Be reasonable and be cautious, but don’t be frightened.”
