How are you coping?

We are all under pressure aren't we? globe-economy-growth-health-world-heart-decline-map

And even though we are in the same storm, we are all in different boats.

Some of our boats are cruising along, some have hit a reef and others are sinking.

London’s Imperial College and YouGov recently conducted a survey in 13 countries to discover how people are coping with COVID-19 restrictions.

And not surprisingly they are all coping differently.

Italians are most likely to avoid crowds.

Brits will willingly stay at home.

Swedes are great at washing their hands but find it harder to stop touching things.

Here are a few of their other findings:

Are you willing to self-isolate?

Self-isolation is a key tool in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

It’s especially important if someone suspects they may have an infection. In most countries, the majority of those surveyed said they'd stay home if they began to feel unwell.

The UK topped this list with 92% of its respondents saying they'd self-isolate if they started to display symptoms.

Coronavirus china virus health healthcare who world health organization disease deaths pandemic epidemic worries concerns Health virus contagious contagion viruses diseases disease lab laboratory doctor health dr nurse medical medicine drugs vaccines vaccinations inoculations technology testing test medicinal biotechnology biotech biology chemistry physics microscope research influenza flu cold common cold bug risk symptomes respiratory china iran italy europe asia america south america north washing hands wash hands coughs sneezes spread spreading precaution precautions health warning covid 19 cov SARS 2019ncov wuhan sarscow wuhanpneumonia pneumonia outbreak patients unhealthy fatality mortality elderly old elder age serious death deathly deadly
Britons are the most likely to self-isolate. Image: YouGov

Now wash your hands

How often do you wash your hands?

If you are a typical Italian or Swede, according to the study, you take to the sink 14 times each day.

Washing your hands properly with soap is one of the most important and effective ways of keeping yourself and others safe from the coronavirus, as soap breaks down the virus, rendering it inactive.

Most people surveyed by YouGov and Imperial College say they wash their hands 12 or 13 times a day.

Coronavirus china virus health healthcare who world health organization disease deaths pandemic epidemic worries concerns Health virus contagious contagion viruses diseases disease lab laboratory doctor health dr nurse medical medicine drugs vaccines vaccinations inoculations technology testing test medicinal biotechnology biotech biology chemistry physics microscope research influenza flu cold common cold bug risk symptomes respiratory china iran italy europe asia america south america north washing hands wash hands coughs sneezes spread spreading precaution precautions health warning covid 19 cov SARS 2019ncov wuhan sarscow wuhanpneumonia pneumonia outbreak patients unhealthy fatality mortality elderly old elder age serious death deathly deadly
Italians are the most dedicated hand-washers. Image: YouGov

Keeping out of harm’s way

The COVID-19 threat has changed a range of other daily behaviours, too.

The survey found that people around the world have reconsidered everything from touching things in public places to public transit.

In fact, an overwhelming 98% of Italians told the researchers they avoid busy places, the largest share of any country surveyed.

Coronavirus china virus health healthcare who world health organization disease deaths pandemic epidemic worries concerns Health virus contagious contagion viruses diseases disease lab laboratory doctor health dr nurse medical medicine drugs vaccines vaccinations inoculations technology testing test medicinal biotechnology biotech biology chemistry physics microscope research influenza flu cold common cold bug risk symptomes respiratory china iran italy europe asia america south america north washing hands wash hands coughs sneezes spread spreading precaution precautions health warning covid 19 cov SARS 2019ncov wuhan sarscow wuhanpneumonia pneumonia outbreak patients unhealthy fatality mortality elderly old elder age serious death deathly deadly
Avoidance behaviour by country. Image: YouGov