Social fear is the fear that other people will see something that shames me, is unpleasant, and, if revealed, this something will have negative consequences for me. In the case of the coronavirus, the social fear of not meeting expectations is most often actualized. What thoughts and feelings may be spinning in your head: - I don’t want to wear a mask. Only the infected or panickers wear them. I’m afraid that I’ll be considered one of them. “I want to put on a mask, but I don’t have one, and pharmacies don’t have one either.” I’m afraid to go outside without a mask, in case I’m judged for negligence or looked at askance. “I would prefer to stay at home, but my friends continue to meet with each other.” I'm afraid that they will laugh at me, so I continue to go to all the meetings. - I'm really scared because of everything that's happening, but I can't discuss it with anyone I know, I'm afraid of looking like a weakling in their eyes. - I have signs colds, fever, but I'm afraid to call the doctors. What if I have a virus? It’s scary to imagine how I will talk about this to friends and relatives, because I could have infected them. — I denied the possibility of becoming infected, and now I have been diagnosed with coronavirus. I’m undergoing treatment, but I’m afraid to admit: friends and relatives will start to rub their noses in me that I was wrong, but “they said so.” - I want to take all precautions, but my boss laughs at the situation and does not take it seriously. I can't follow all the recommendations because I'm afraid of looking like a fool in the eyes of my boss and colleagues. What you can do here: Firstly, catch these thoughts in yourself. Secondly, confront fear and yourself: - So, what will happen if they think about me like that, they will laugh at me, consider me a fool, etc. .? Am I sure I won’t be able to cope with this? - Why is it so important for me that this doesn’t happen? (Usually this question reveals what we are really afraid of - for example, losing a relationship, job, etc.) Why is it important to see what we are really afraid of? When I am afraid, I lose my sense of support. Knowledge returns this support to me. I am no longer afraid of something for no reason: I understand myself in this, I can explain it to myself. If the explanation makes you feel a little calmer, ask yourself: “Can I handle this once?” And if so, then try to do what you’re afraid of just once. If you can’t figure out on your own what’s going on. Or there is understanding, but it does not become calmer. And fears are already beginning to interfere with your life. Then it’s better to seek support from a psychologist..