Stating the Problem
Self-isolation due to the spread of COVID-19 has seriously affected the usual routine and revealed psychological instability. Mental and physical health is severely affected by the feeling of loneliness characteristic of human beings in isolation. Lack of social ties and the limitation of habitual entertainment are considered to be the leading cause of anxiety among adult Americans (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). Millions of people are forced to stay at home, leaving public places, including beaches, deserted. However, the current situation is beneficial for nature, and some animals like sea turtles, as with empty beaches, have more chances to survive.
The Harm Inflicted by Covid-19 and Self-isolation
Fear and panic caused by news about the coronavirus can negatively affect a person’s emotional state; worsen his physical and mental health. People isolated for only three months experience changes in sleep quality, metabolism, and the immune, endocrine, and neurocognitive systems (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). Elderly, low-income people and men experience solitude differently; they are more exposed to risk (Provenzi & Tronick, 2020). Some people think technology is a means of bringing people together, but low-income groups may not even have FaceTime, Skype, or afford a mobile connection.
Sea Turtle’s Standpoint
Living in a shell means safety and coziness, which guarantees survival. People are fussy and busy; they need to slow down and reassess their values. Self-isolation is a chance for humanity to sit and think of its harmful influence on the environment. Mainly, reducing human presence on the beach also means less debris, including plastic, in the marine environment. In many ways, the pandemic is a challenge to people’s understanding of wildlife as a raw material for humanity.
Opposing Standpoint (Concession)
Apart from seemingly effortless physical distancing for the sake of health, mental welfare is crucial for every person on Earth. Unlike people, turtles are very solitary; they need space, which is why people might consider their privacy. However, humans are social beings whose well-being is dramatically influenced by isolation (Provenzi & Tronick, 2020). Under stress and anxiety, people can hardly think about anything beyond their comfort zone.
The conversation
Turtle: Why are people upset about staying home? It is safe and warm. We do not need anybody to be happy.
Respondent: That makes sense. However, people are social beings; it means that they need contacts and can only survive in groups.
Turtle: Strange animals you are! Now, when you got an opportunity to retard, you have plenty of time to learn something new.
Respondent: You are right, but people influenced by depression and apathy are not willing to do anything. They suffer from a lack of desire for activity, loneliness, sadness, laziness, decreased initiative, and bad mood. Don’t you?
Turtle: No. We suffer from people. But now, when you stay at home, we, turtles, have no distraction for nesting and our baby turtles get a chance to survive: no people on the beaches – more turtles, less garbage.
Respondent: Okay, I agree. We, people, should pay more attention to nature and learn to appreciate it and protect it before anything terrible happens.
Turtle: We would appreciate that.
How an understanding of the topic expanded
Staying at home is stressful, but people should also consider that as a chance to benefit the planet. Animals have a possibility to regain the population now when people avoid their natural habitat. The health care system will try to save all seriously ill people as much as possible, while the rest of the protection and prevention depends on each citizen. Now it is a time for people to think not only about themselves but also go out of their shells and notice the people and world around them. Society is given the opportunity to realize what a human can do to help wildlife, or, at least, not harm.
References
Fitzpatrick, K. M., Harris, C., & Drawve, G. (2020). Living in the midst of fear: Depressive symptomatology among US adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Depression and Anxiety, 37(4), 957–964. Web.
Provenzi, L., & Tronick, E. (2020). The power of disconnection during the COVID-19 emergency: From isolation to reparation. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(1), 252–254. Web.