Open AccessAlone Together
Author(s) -
Holly Walker
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
policy quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2324-1101
pISSN - 2324-1098
DOI - 10.26686/pq.v16i3.6555
Subject(s) - loneliness , social isolation , isolation (microbiology) , psychology , covid-19 , public health , social psychology , medicine , psychiatry , nursing , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Even prior to Covid-19, loneliness posed a significant public policy challenge. Loneliness intersects with other wellbeing factors, so prioritising wellbeing requires policies that allow social interaction to thrive. Prolonged loneliness also creates significant public health risks. Covid-19 thrust loneliness into greater prominence with enforced social isolation compounded by considerable employment and income loss. The level 4 lockdown contributed to an increase in self-reported loneliness, especially among those already at risk. Future analysis will determine the full impact of Covid-19 on loneliness; in the meantime, policy to enable social interactions to thrive will be an important part of the recovery.