90-Second Read: Lessons from COVID can inform the psychology of a new public health issue.

Understanding the psychology of disaster-related anxiety and trauma is vital as we face a new public health threat. So, while being aware of the latest information on a new public health issue is important, being fixated on it can increase discomfort and worsen anxiety. As devastating and catastrophic as the COVID-19 pandemic was, we learned some important psychological lessons from it that can help us navigate a new public-health issue in an emotionally healthy way. Recently, news has come out about Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a virus that, though different from COVID-19, poses a similarly serious risk to those infected. We need to clarify that, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Hantavirus infections are uncommon and are linked to specific environmental exposures whereas COVID-19 quickly became a global pandemic.

So, while these two viruses are different and the Hantavirus is unlikely to be as catastrophic as COVID-19, the traumatic memories and the anxiety they trigger do not differentiate. We already know that there are significant differences between Hantavirus and COVID-19, and it can help our anxiety to keep these in mind, rather than to assume both will play out the same way. When faced with a public health threat, vigilance and awareness are positive and healthy ways to stay safe and protected. Since then, although we have returned to a state of relative normalcy, you may have unpleasant memories or even traumatic memories which can be triggered by specific stimuli such as disturbing images of the pandemic or news related to new or potential viruses. In my book, Understanding.

News of a new virus has spiked anxiety and triggered traumatic memories of COVID-19, but it is important to recognize that anxiety cannot differentiate between past and present. Posted May 10, 2026 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch You likely remember where you were in March 2020 when lockdowns began and the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic set in. These events can leave a long-lasting effect on global mental health. As you navigate the deluge of information about the Hantavirus, consider your sources, pay attention to who is saying what (is the Instagram reel you are watching from an epidemiologist or an unqualified influencer?), and think critically as you consume information. But, when driven by anxiety or catastrophic thinking, vigilance can shift to hypervigilance—an unhealthy fixation that actually increases emotional discomfort.

So, when a new threat—in this case, Hantavirus—presents itself and takes over the now ever-present and difficult to silence news cycle, it stands to reason that many individuals may experience a spike in anxiety and the triggering of unpleasant memories of the previous pandemic. For example, I might hear about this new virus and automatically conclude that it is going to be just like COVID-19. Clinical Overview of Hantavirus." Hantavirus, 8 May 2026, cdc.gov/Hantavirus/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com. Prevalence of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of over 2 million people. By submitting your information you agree to the Psychology Today Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy