The Anxiety and Stress of the Public during the Spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Aim: This study aims to assess the public anxiety and stress during the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID‐19).

Methodology: The survey was prepared using CDC “Daily Life & Coping with Coronavirus Disease 2019” section. The data were collected and analyzed using Excel software. The descriptive data were represented by frequencies and percentages.

Results: About 91% of the 304 respondents fear and worry about their own health and the health of their families and about 82.24% of them are worried about the effect of the disease spreading on work and study. The majority of the respondents think that people infected with the Coronavirus will experience social rejection and avoidance from others (61.51%) but only 12.5% think that people with the disease may be deprived of health care, education, housing and work.

Conclusion: COVID-19 spreading increase the stress and worry of the public regarding their health, their family health and negative economic effect of the disease. It is important to increase the awareness regarding COVID-19 and to improve the communication of health care professionals and the public with infected patients.