Post by emonseo10 on Jan 11, 2024 6:28:06 GMT -5
Given the increase in Covid-19 infections among young people and adolescents in this second wave of the pandemic, all eyes are on the younger population. The Pontevedra psychologist Roberto Antón is clear: when it comes to breaking the rules, age is the least important thing.
Do you think that the majority of young people and adolescents do not know the magnitude and severity of the pandemic?
On the contrary, I believe that the majority of young people and adolescents are very aware of the seriousness and consequences of the pandemic; another thing is that some are maintaining irresponsible attitudes. However, I believe that these attitudes are independent of age, and there are some older people who also present behaviors and attitudes that are incompatible with the necessary protective measures that we must take to try to stop this pandemic.
Are they aware of the risk of not complying with the rules to stop the expansion?
From my point of view, the vast majority of young people are aware of the risk, and are able to clearly identify it when we talk about their closest relatives. Another question is whether they can assess general issues such as the possible collapse of the health system, the economic consequences, or political discrepancies. That is why I consider it essential to place this problem in its closest relationship context. If they manage to put themselves in the shoes of a family member who may be a person at risk, or their 75-year-old grandmother who may Professional Person Email List be vulnerable if infection occurs, it is more likely that they will be able to change certain risk behaviors.
How do you value campaigns such as the one launched by the Ministry of Health with the slogan 'This is not a game'?
Personally, I consider that these types of preventive campaigns are very creative and have a very powerful audiovisual component, but their impact when it comes to changing attitudes or behaviors is very limited because they cannot reach the peculiarities and idiosyncrasies of each family and each young person. .
Are young people being criminalized in this second wave by focusing on them?
As in many other issues, from my point of view, blame is being placed and the focus of attention on young people is being unfairly focused. Anyone who goes out for a walk through our squares can see how the terraces are full of people and safety measures are not always followed. Surely the average age of these people is more similar to the person who writes to them (44 years) than to a teenager. If you happen to visit a shopping center on a rainy Saturday, you will see that it is full of elderly people sharing closed spaces despite it not being advisable in these times. On the other hand, the vast majority of young people are cautious and try to comply with the measures, however, it seems that this vast majority is invisible. I know many young people who only meet with a small group of friends, who remind their parents to wear a mask or who avoid going out when it is not strictly necessary. Why aren't they news?
What is the best way to get the message to them? Do fines and bans work?
I think the best way for the message to reach is through the specific people we have around us. When we know that a neighbor, a friend or a family member has the disease or has been in contact with it, they (and we) are really aware that it is a real problem, that we are vulnerable, and that with our actions we can put it at risk. risk to the people around us and who are important to us.
Are young people and adolescents easily carried away by what the group says?
Yes, in a similar way to the way those people who are not teenagers or who are not so young allow themselves to be dragged along.
How do the messages of deniers on the networks influence you?
I think they influence him in a similar way to the rest of the population. There are people in whom this denialist message is getting through, but I don't think it is more common in adolescents and young people.
Do you think that the majority of young people and adolescents do not know the magnitude and severity of the pandemic?
On the contrary, I believe that the majority of young people and adolescents are very aware of the seriousness and consequences of the pandemic; another thing is that some are maintaining irresponsible attitudes. However, I believe that these attitudes are independent of age, and there are some older people who also present behaviors and attitudes that are incompatible with the necessary protective measures that we must take to try to stop this pandemic.
Are they aware of the risk of not complying with the rules to stop the expansion?
From my point of view, the vast majority of young people are aware of the risk, and are able to clearly identify it when we talk about their closest relatives. Another question is whether they can assess general issues such as the possible collapse of the health system, the economic consequences, or political discrepancies. That is why I consider it essential to place this problem in its closest relationship context. If they manage to put themselves in the shoes of a family member who may be a person at risk, or their 75-year-old grandmother who may Professional Person Email List be vulnerable if infection occurs, it is more likely that they will be able to change certain risk behaviors.
How do you value campaigns such as the one launched by the Ministry of Health with the slogan 'This is not a game'?
Personally, I consider that these types of preventive campaigns are very creative and have a very powerful audiovisual component, but their impact when it comes to changing attitudes or behaviors is very limited because they cannot reach the peculiarities and idiosyncrasies of each family and each young person. .
Are young people being criminalized in this second wave by focusing on them?
As in many other issues, from my point of view, blame is being placed and the focus of attention on young people is being unfairly focused. Anyone who goes out for a walk through our squares can see how the terraces are full of people and safety measures are not always followed. Surely the average age of these people is more similar to the person who writes to them (44 years) than to a teenager. If you happen to visit a shopping center on a rainy Saturday, you will see that it is full of elderly people sharing closed spaces despite it not being advisable in these times. On the other hand, the vast majority of young people are cautious and try to comply with the measures, however, it seems that this vast majority is invisible. I know many young people who only meet with a small group of friends, who remind their parents to wear a mask or who avoid going out when it is not strictly necessary. Why aren't they news?
What is the best way to get the message to them? Do fines and bans work?
I think the best way for the message to reach is through the specific people we have around us. When we know that a neighbor, a friend or a family member has the disease or has been in contact with it, they (and we) are really aware that it is a real problem, that we are vulnerable, and that with our actions we can put it at risk. risk to the people around us and who are important to us.
Are young people and adolescents easily carried away by what the group says?
Yes, in a similar way to the way those people who are not teenagers or who are not so young allow themselves to be dragged along.
How do the messages of deniers on the networks influence you?
I think they influence him in a similar way to the rest of the population. There are people in whom this denialist message is getting through, but I don't think it is more common in adolescents and young people.