Open AccessIndividuals’response to COVID-19 Restrictions in Europe: A Snapshot of Today and Hopes for Tomorrow
Author(s) -
Kutl Ergün
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.18690/978-961-286-464-4.4
Subject(s) - pandemic , covid-19 , optimism , european union , snapshot (computer storage) , isolation (microbiology) , demographic economics , psychology , development economics , economics , political science , economic growth , medicine , social psychology , economic policy , computer science , disease , pathology , virology , biology , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty) , microbiology and biotechnology , operating system
This study presents the individuals' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering that many institutions and working places were closed due to the pandemic, the possible impact of COVID-19 restrictions on individuals was assessed. The study examined the number and frequencies of respondents in the survey including demographic variables (gender, income), and future expectation on economic situation and psychological conditions. There were 218 individuals from 24 European countries participating in the survey. The percentage of respondents, discovering personal strength (previously unaware of) during restrictions was 40%. This is a high percentage showing that isolation may contribute to self-discovery. Despite annoying restrictions, many individuals expressed their economic optimism for the future. Also, most of the participants stated that they had not enough money during these restrictions. Also, this study shows that trust in governments, the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) was low during the pandemic restrictions. The results of this study might be useful and taken into account for potential future waves of this pandemic and possible new pandemics that may occur in the future.