by McKayla Holson, Editorial Editor
I read a CNN article by Bianca Nobilo called “Coronavirus has stolen our most meaningful ways to connect” in hopes of finding something to write about. I have also been discussing this topic in my nonverbal communications class.
In a graph that went along with the article, Nobilo showed that humans express emotions in certain percentages.
Humans express emotion 55% nonverbally, 38% vocally (which she explained as tone, pace, inflection) and 7 % verbally.
“The coronavirus pandemic has deprived us of the closeness we are biologically programmed to seek when we are vulnerable, lonely or fearful — exactly when we need it the most,” Nobilo said. “Face masks, video chats and personal protective equipment make it harder to see facial expressions and body movements, while social distancing forces us to be unnaturally apart and the invisible presence of a virus has infused touch with a sense of danger.”
I agree that we have been deprived of these connections. No longer can we make determinations based on smiles. Video chats prevent us from seeing the entire image of someone, leaving nonverbal cues unseen.
Social distancing does have an unnatural feel to it as well. Standing apart from others and taking precautionary measures is something I have had to train myself to think about. Like we talked about in my class, we have to reevaluate what is deemed “appropriate” when it comes to distance and social interactions.
With COVID, we’re often not able to be with our loved ones when they need us most. If a loved one is in the hospital, usually people are not allowed with them or allowed to visit.
I have had friends and family members who have given birth during this confusing time and only the husbands were allowed in the hospital with them.
Their parents, grandparents and other family members and friends had to wait at home to receive updates and pictures of the newborn. I know several people who were injured or needed surgery as well.
My mom and my grandma both had surgery recently and they had to sit in the hospital all alone. Phone calls, messages and video chats were their only connection to us. They were not able to be comforted. No encouraging pats on the back, no hugs, just blank walls.
In the article I read, Nobilo said that healthcare workers’ nonverbal cues aid patients in the healing process.
Positive nonverbal cues result in confidence and trust instilled in the patients and Nobilo said that leads to decreased anxiety and better healing outcomes.
“Even with pain, patients who get high non-verbal support from their physicians show increased tolerance,” Nobillo said. “Doctors’ detachment and distancing behavior — such as the absence of smiling and direct eye-gaze — has the opposite effect and is linked to worse patient outcomes.
“A recent study of 719 patients with the common cold found that the more empathic they perceived their doctor to be — the faster they recovered. Each patient was asked to score the doctor for empathy shown to them on a 1-10 scale. Those who scored the doctor a perfect 10 (around a third of patients) had reduced severity of symptoms, recovered faster and also had higher immune function, about 50% better than others.”
It’s not just the healthcare field that is impacted by the COVID guidelines, everyday life is impacted as well.
Social distancing means people don’t get out and interact as much. People have to find new ways to interact. Whether the interactions are by Zoom dinners or game nights, socially-distanced picnics or other creative ways people are coming up with, people are adapting to new ways to fill the void of interaction.
It’s hard to read what people are thinking during interactions as well.
If a person isn’t good at emoting through their eyes, it’s next to impossible to understand their emotions with a mask on. It’s like we’re reading text messages with no emotions basically.
When talking with someone new, or even interacting with someone you have a prior connection with, keep the virus in mind when translating nonverbal cues. Evaluate those cues and ask any questions if you’re reading or picking up on something that is confusing.
One day, we’ll return back to normal. I don’t know when that will be, but we will just have to bear with the new way until then.
Remain patient and stay safe. Soon this will be over and we will be able to smile and shake hands again. Until then, laugh hard and communicate as clearly as possible.