As an initial response to the coronavirus crisis, most state and local governments required closures of non-essential businesses and schools and declared mandatory stay-at-home orders for all but non-essential workers, which generally included prohibiting large gatherings, requiring quarantine for travelers, and encouraging social distancing. States are now in the process of re-opening, which has been followed by many seeing a resurgence in coronavirus cases. It is unknown whether stay-at-home orders will be enforced again as spikes occur, or how long general social distancing practices will need to be encouraged.
A broad body of research links social isolation and loneliness to both poor mental and physical health. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has brought attention to the widespread experience of loneliness as a public health concern in itself, pointing to its association with reduced lifespan and greater risk of both mental and physical illnesses (Dr. Murthy serves on the KFF Board of Trustees). Additionally, studies of the psychological impact of quarantine during other disease outbreaks indicate such quarantines can lead to negative mental health outcomes. There is particular concern about suicidal ideation during this time, as isolation is a risk factor for suicide.
In the KFF Tracking Poll conducted in late March, shortly after many stay-at-home orders were issued, we found that 47% of those sheltering-in-place reported negative mental health effects resulting from worry or stress related to coronavirus (Figure 2). This rate was significantly higher than the 37% among people who were not sheltering-in-place reporting negative mental health impacts from coronavirus. Of those sheltering-in-place, 21% reported a major negative impact on their mental health from stress and worry about coronavirus, compared to 13% of those not sheltering-in-place.