'True anxiety about going back to work': Studies show Canadians feeling post-pandemic anxiety
As Ontario moves closer to reopening the province, the idea of returning to a pre-pandemic life is stressful for some Canadians.
'There is true anxiety about going back to work," says Dr. David Dozois, a professor of psychology at Western University.
"There's been a number of polls, Leger for example, said that 53 per cent of people are anxious about returning back. The American Psychological Association said that about 50 per cent of people are anxious about the kind of social etiquette of going back to work, and the Mental Health Research Canada has also released a poll showing that 71 per cent of people are worried about catching COVID post-pandemic."
That doesn't seem to be the case in the U.S. Many sports stadiums are at full capacity with no masks required. Many states have no restrictions at all.
However in Canada, whether it be dining outdoors or indoors, getting a hair cut, heading to the gym, or even a movie theatre, the fears of catching COVID-19 are real.
Business associations are working hard to assure the public that if protocols are followed, they'll be safe.
"We have been doing vignette videos to show people, kind of what the things are, and in the most recent ones we've had people in masks doing the things that they do in their business," says Brian Yeomans, chair of the Windsor, Ont. Business Improvement Association (BIA).
"In some of them people have been wearing masks, goggles and showing you the procedures that they've had to take to make sure that their customers feel safe and are safe."
At Downtown London, executive director Barbara Maly hasn't noticed customer hesitation.
"We're actually finding there's a lot of pent-up demand for people to come downtown, especially now that we've got two weekends under our belt with patios being open," she says.
However, she does feel it is important for everyone involved to make each other feel safe.
"It's not only shops and restaurants, but it's events that we're looking to put on in the future," says Maly.
"As restrictions lift, we'll be planning activations and events, according to what restrictions are in effect at the time. Once we get notice, we will probably start with some smaller activations again, and we're looking forward to the fall and even the holiday season. There's a lot of planning that goes into this, and a lot of detail that needs to go into it and thinking around, 'how do we ensure safety of those who come and visit us downtown?'"
Dozois feels its important to be compassionate and understanding of people's anxiety levels, and if necessary, help ease people back into post-pandemic life.
"I can see a lot of people wearing masks for some time to come, even though it's not going to be sort of required," says Dozois.
"I think that will be an important thing for some people to do just to feel better about it, as time goes on, I think people will get more used to that."
And as fears are faced, and anxiety lessens, eventually those people may be comfortable with taking the mask off.
"I think we just need to kind of allow people to handle their anxiety, the way they are doing it and have the respect and compassion for other people,"says Dozois.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.