Sense of invincibility, irresponsibility — why people break quarantine rules
nNEWDELHI: A sense of individuality and complete lack of concern for others could explain why India is reporting several cases of people breaking quarantine protocols in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, according to behavioural scientists.
While a section of experts says some of these actions stem from a minimised risk perception, others call for punitive action to deter such flouters who are putting a large section of the population at risk of the fast-spreading disease with flu-like symptoms.
Samir Parikh, psychiatrist and the director of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Fortis Healthcare, says India has to put emphasis on collective responsibility.
“A lack of social responsibility makes us behave like this. Altruism needs to replace individualism,” Parikh says.
From a student in West Bengal to a popular Bollywood singer to a newlywed woman back from honeymoon in Italy, the country has outraged over several cases involving people not following protocols and sending health officials into a tizzy.
People who are viewed to be potential carriers of the disease due to their travel aboard or likely contact with patients but do not show symptoms are asked to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days.
Patients tested positive have to undergo treatment at government-run isolation facilities.
Nimesh Desai, director, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) and a professor of psychiatry, says the act of breaking rules could be driven by the idea of an “invincible self”.
“It’s the thought that sab chalta hai (everything’s fine)...we don’t see ourselves as one society,” he says.
BN Gangadhar, director, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, says people need to be told they will be punished for such irresponsible behaviour.
“Why do people flee quarantine or hide travel history? It’s the same reason why people jump traffic signals or ride without a helmet or drink and drive. They break the law,” he adds.
In the wake of the outbreak, India has invoked the colonialera Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897, under which the health ministry advisories issued to contain the disease are enforceable, and a person flouting an order is punishable.
Anand Prakash, professor of psychology and dean, international relations, at Delhi University says people breaking quarantine rules do not seem to be believers of a “shared ethics”. “This behaviour is driven by individuality,” he says.
A review on the psychological impact of quarantine published in the medical journal Lancet on February 26 says officials should take every measure to ensure such an experience is as tolerable as possible.
“This can be achieved by: telling people what is happening and why, explaining how long it will continue, providing meaningful activities for them to do while in quarantine, providing clear communication, ensuring basic supplies (such as food, water, and medical supplies) are available, and reinforcing the sense of altruism that people should, rightly, be feeling,” it concludes.