Lockdown Policy Dilemma: COVID-19 Pandemic versus Economy and Mental Health

Abstract

Lockdown is considered to be the best of policies around the world to fight the deadly virus of COVID-19 which decimated hundreds of people in the last six months. However, this is not a cost-free measure. Billions of dollars worth of economic activities halted hinging upon these measures imposed by the governments of the countries. For instance, IMF predicted that the GDP growth will decline by 4.9 percent in 2020. Global trade is also expected to plummet by 27 percent in the second quarter of the year. In addition, paucity of recreational activities severely affects the mental health of the people. While imposing lockdown, both the cost and benefit should be analyzed to understand the real benefit of these measures on human life. This study critically examines the impact of the lockdown measures on mental health, and the economy of Bangladesh along with the efficacy of the measures on containing the virus. We found that the negative impact on the economy and mental health surpasses the positive impact of curbing the pandemic. It also compares the efficacy of the measures in different countries to find out the pattern that resembles with Bangladesh. From all the data, we conclude that the cost of lockdown measures in the country is greater than the benefit it brings to Bangladesh.

Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Road Safety in Bangladesh

“…In addition, the Bangladesh government allowed the reopening of the markets and shopping centers on 10 May 2020, approximately three weeks ahead of 30 May 2022 (the official closure of the stay-at-home order nationwide) [56]. This could be why an increase in the crash, injury, and fatality statistics was recorded in six divisions (Khulna, Barishal, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh) out of the eight throughout the final three weeks of lockdown.…”

Strategic assessment of mental health and suicide amid COVID‐19 pandemic in Bangladesh

“…A total of 72% of respondents had insomnia, 61.7% were upset and angry at the pandemic situation and 83.5% expressed frustration and anxiety about the future. On an average 68.2% said they were overall terrified of the epidemic, and almost 59.4% said life becomes meaningless to them 10 . Another cross‐sectional web‐based survey among 1427 participants included in this survey.…”

“…9 A survey found that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 72.6% of Bangladeshis suffer from insomnia. 10 Furthermore, the new reality of social isolation and other security measures puts everyone to the test, and people with mental illness may face even more difficulties this time. It is common for individuals to feel stressed and worried about a pandemic.…”

“…On an average 68.2% said they were overall terrified of the epidemic, and almost 59.4% said life becomes meaningless to them. 10 Another cross-sectional web-based survey among 1427 participants included in this survey. The research found that 59.7% suffered from stress symptoms, but mild (28.0%) and moderate (22.0%) symptoms were more common.…”