In any epidemic, it is common for individuals to feel stressed and worried. Common responses of people affected (both directly and indirectly) might include:
- Fear of falling ill and dying
- Avoiding approaching health facilities due to fear of becoming infected while in care
- Fear of losing livelihoods, not being able to work during isolation, and of being dismissed from work
- Fear of being socially excluded/placed in quarantine because of being associated with the disease (e.g. racism against persons who are from, or perceived to be from, affected areas)
- Feeling powerless in protecting loved ones and fear of losing loved ones because of the virus
- Fear of being separated from loved ones and caregivers due to quarantine regime
- Refusal to care for unaccompanied or separated minors, people with disabilities or the elderly due to fear of infection, because parents or caregivers have been taken into quarantine
- Feelings of helplessness, boredom, loneliness and depression due to being isolated
- Fear of reliving the experience of a previous epidemic