Coronavirus How free now do you dare to work out, go to the movies and take a sauna with others? The chief physician and psychiatrist share their views

In Uusimaa left in early February a slip of restrictions. For example, gyms, swimming pools and saunas are allowed to open their doors again. Restrictions are also easing for cinemas, concerts and theater.

Even though the doors open, some people don’t like to step in. Caution is understandable in itself, says the chief physician of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District Asko Järvinen.

“The epidemic is not over yet.”

The number of patients in hospitals has been declining in Uusimaa for the past three weeks, and the number of patients in intensive care has also clearly decreased.

On the other hand, there is no information on the actual number of infections, because the testing capacity is not enough to detect all infections, Järvinen points out.

“Infections are still more prevalent than at the peaks of previous Corona waves. The risk of developing the disease is significant. It is also good to remember that the rest of Finland will follow Uusimaa. Elsewhere, infection rates are still rising. ”

How to approach the lifting of restrictions in this situation? How free to dare to sauna, train and book theater tickets?

According to Järvinen, this naturally varies from person to person.

“If you have suffered from an omicron virus variant, you are unlikely to get it again. I would give the sick a lot of liberties, ”says Järvinen.

“Admittedly, the new version of the micron transform BA.2 could mess up the situation somewhere. I have not yet found out whether the disease also protects against this variant. ”

If has not yet had the disease but is a younger person and has received 2-3 vaccinations, the potential for infection is likely to be mild due to the vaccines. Järvinen urges to use his own discretion in this situation.

“I can slowly go to a place where the number of human contacts is not very large yet. Using a mask protects yourself and others. ”

The restrictions now lifted are aimed at opportunities and recreational opportunities where the population and human contacts remain small.

For example, nightclubs that dance close together and speak loudly are still subject to restrictions.

At risk groups people, especially older people, should remain vigilant. No one would like to have this disease, Järvinen points out.

The infection can be moderately severe and long-lasting, especially in those over 50 years of age.

“The protection of the three vaccines is now better than what it will be in the spring if the disease is still present then. By the spring, the virus has gone through the majority of the population, reducing the incidence of the disease – if the BA.2 variant does not change the situation now. ”

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“Fear of the disease can become a bigger health risk than the disease itself.”

What about what about the unvaccinated? They are now at greater risk than ever before.

“The risk of severe disease in unvaccinated people is in the order of about 50 percent compared to the risk posed by deltavirus. The risk is lower than with the previous variants, but still significant if the person has age and underlying diseases. ”

In other words, those who suffer from the disease can now live quite freely, fully vaccinated moderately but carefully. The risk is high for those who are not vaccinated and those at risk.

Coronavirus related concerns do not all evaporate at the same rate with restrictions. Published by Statistics Finland at the end of January Citizenship Pulse Survey according to 55 percent of respondents are concerned that a loved one is getting coronary.

The number of the citizen pulse survey feels great in Järvinen’s ear.

“Many have learned to fear the disease over the past two years, but the figure is disproportionate to how good the vaccines provide protection,” Järvinen ponders.

According to the Citizen’s Pulse, a clearly smaller number, 28 per cent of Finns, are concerned about their own illness. This is probably due to the fact that people are primarily concerned about the health of their elderly, loved ones with multiple illnesses.

Anxiety and anxiety are understandable, but according to Järvinen, it is also worth paying attention to them if you do not feel better during the spring.

“As the situation returns to normal – possibly in late spring – the fear of the disease could become a greater health risk than the disease itself.”

Järvinen recalls that we will not get rid of the coronavirus, but will continue to do so for years to come.

“We need to gradually learn to live with the disease more normally. Precautions and responsible use are still needed, but the grounds for excluding society will be reduced. ”

According to Järvinen, breaking restrictions is always more difficult than setting them.

“It’s easier to see the situation get worse than to see and anticipate budding, good signs. We have to deduce the situation by looking in the rearview mirror, that is, by monitoring the change in the number of hospital patients. ”

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“Neuroticity is a useful trait for evolution.”

Coronavirus has rocked uncertainty in everyone’s lives. The pandemic is forcing us to accept that we cannot control everything.

According to the citizen pulse survey, the coronavirus stresses at least somewhat more than half of Finns.

People aged 15-29 have experienced the most stress during most of the pandemic. Those over the age of 50, on the other hand, have coped well with exceptional circumstances, THL research professor, psychiatrist Jaana Suvisaari says.

People aged 60-74 have experienced the least stress.

According to Suvisaari, the reason is probably to be found in the perspective brought by age. Older people have experienced more adversities in their lives that have taught resilience, or resilience.

This is also being clarified. Even a good life involves challenges and difficulties.

“Partial stagnation of life is more difficult for young people. There should also be much more going on in their lives. ”

Surveys have shown an increase in the stress curve for 15-29 year olds throughout the autumn, but the curve began to decline in January.

“It’s a really gratifying piece of information. You may think that now that the pandemic situation is starting to return to normal, it will be easier. ”

Summer Island is also pleased that, although young people are more stressed, they are more likely than older generations to seek help for mental health problems.

Adaptability is a characteristic of the human species. The situation, which seemed exceptional, becomes normal, interest rate restrictions everyday.

When the situation eases, most also adapt quickly. Finns are hopeful about the future. According to the Citizens’ Pulse Survey, 78% of respondents are confident about the future at the moment.

Suvisaari believes that the anxiety symptoms of many will be relieved when everyday life returns to normal.

“Of course, it’s important to recognize if some people have persistent symptoms and worries.”

Anxiety can already be too stressful. According to Suvisaari, if anxiety is constantly present, nocturnal sleep and a person does not dare to see their loved ones even outdoors.

If you are worried about your own mental endurance, Suvisaari encourages you to visit, for example At the Mental Health Home Self-Care website. The tests there can be used to assess whether or not your anxiety is within “normal” limits.

“If necessary, you should turn to health care.”

“The support we give each other now is really valuable.”

Personality contributes to how sensitive a person is to anxiety.

Personality can be perceived, for example, with the help of the Big Five model. The model describes five different personality traits with emphases that vary from person to person.

These traits are neuroticism, outward orientation, conscientiousness, conciliation, and openness to new experiences.

“For example, neuroticism is associated with anxiety,” says Suvisaari.

A neurotic person is emotionally volatile, prone to worry, and more sensitive to stress than average. He may also interpret situations as more sensitive than others.

Where the neurotic misses the party in fear of the coronavirus, the other runs into a bang and climbs the skump on the way.

While neuroticism strikes sticks into carts, it is an evolutionarily useful trait. Focusing on threats and dangers has probably helped our ancestors survive.

What about how could one maintain one’s own mental endurance? The means are those traditional, Suvisaari says.

“Regular sleep rhythm, healthy diet and exercise outdoors. Connecting with other people is also important. ”

Suvisaari also hopes that more cautious and anxious people will now be taken care of. If someone is not afraid to go on a cottage trip with a group of friends, for example, they should not be left out of the group altogether.

“The support we give each other now is really valuable.”