How Alcohol Can Cause Additional Harm During Coronavirus Lockdown
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to nearly every aspect of people’s life. Uncertainty over the economy and the length of the pandemic have led to concerns that people may turn to alcohol. The World Health Organization Europe (WHO/Europe) has issued a statement reminding people that alcohol can cause additional harm during the lockdown. The WHO/Europe states that “alcohol consumption can exacerbate health vulnerability, risk-taking behaviours, mental health issues and violence.” Additionally, they remind people that “drinking alcohol does not protect… from COVID-19.”
Drinking “high-strength” alcohol not only does not protect you from COVID-19 it can have serious health consequences. Consuming high-strength alcohol can affect your immune system and have a negative effect on your mental health particularly during isolation. Heavy drinking during the pandemic can put you at additional risk particularly if you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol or underlying health conditions.
The WHO/Europe recommends leaving rules and regulations in place that restrict access to alcohol in order to prevent additional harm. According to their fact sheet “Alcohol and COVID-19: what you need to know” alcohol can affect “almost every single organ of your body.” Not only does alcohol weaken the immune system, cause cancer, alter judgment, present risks to a fetus and is linked to an increase in intimate partner violence. Most importantly during this time, “Heavy use of alcohol increases the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), one of the most severe complications of COVID-19.”