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What is “pandemic denial”?

Denying the severity of the pandemic can put you and others at risk. One psychotherapist says the denial could be the way some choose to cope with recent changes.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Have you heard of “pandemic denial”? Some people are not taking the pandemic as seriously as they should-- and this can be dangerous.

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In an article published in Psychology Today, experts say some Americans deny the severity of the pandemic for three common reasons: “political affiliations, being medically uninformed, and those with a tendency to conspiracy theories." 

The denial can manifest in refusing to wear a mask or participating in large gatherings without proper social distancing measures. Denying the severity of the pandemic can put you and others at risk. One psychotherapist says the denial could be the way some choose to cope with all the changes we've experienced. But, they could be masking other concerns.

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We spoke with Monretta Vega of Huntsville Psychotherapy and Counseling Services. She tells our reporter that denial is almost always rooted in a fear, trauma, or misunderstanding. Vega adds, “We have to identify ‘why are we denying it?’. Is there any trauma there? Are there any questions there? Is there any uncertainty there? Because, a lot of times denial is just not wanting to face what may be true or even realistic in one's life.” 

We’ve all seen the threat of coronavirus is very real, so please continue to do everything you can to keep yourself and others safe. 

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