expression and touch

This is not a political post about the legitimacy of masks and social distancing. I'm just thinking about the possible long term psychological effects. 

Babies and small children learn the most from mimicking others. They being to understand emotions from reading people's facial expressions. So what happens when those expressions are suddenly removed from their view? I wonder if this generation of young children will grow up to be less empathetic and compassionate because they never picked up these cues. Especially the ones who are in daycare most of their waking hours and the only faces they see are masked up. Facial expressions cross language barriers and we use our expressions to communicate our feelings and emotions. What happens when that is extinguished for a generation that hasn't yet mastered understanding happiness, anger, fear, surprise, sadness, contempt, and disgust?

Maybe the masks won't end up being a huge issue after all, but what about touch? We had already been turning into a society that preferred online and virtual communication to talking in person. Even before the plague we had a loneliness epidemic that I believe was due mostly in part to the fact that we no longer know how to have deep conversations in person, because usually one (or both) parties are staring at a screen. So not only are we lacking in social skills, but now we are not supposed to even hug. Basic touch sends signals to our brain that soothe and calm us. A touch can release oxytocin, "the love hormone." Touch helps us trust others and feel connected. It can convey love and affection without words. 

Oh, and don't touch other people's stuff. So no sharing either. That's going to be GREAT for young, moldable minds. Nothing quite like terrifying someone into keeping their hands to themselves. Sounds like the perfect breeding ground for narcissism and antisocial personality disorder. 

A child that does not understand emotions or does not receive nurturing touch could potentially grow up to become a sociopath. This might be a stretch, but it's hard for me to not see this as an agenda that destroys the parts of us that make us most human. I wonder if the powers that be are hoping the children of today will become their compliant unthinking footsoldiers. 

And let's not forget our elderly. I have spoken to a few people above 80 who have told me they would rather pass on than continue to live in a lonely bubble. They miss the interaction and hugs they used to get from family and friends. What is the point in being alive if all they can do is isolate themselves from everything that once made them happy? We have been told we can't touch their grandparents because we could kill them. 

I remember reading about coronavirus back last Chinese New Year and wondering what the result would be. We are closing in on a year now. Remember how this was just supposed to be two weeks? In less than a year most of us have completely changed how we live. I wonder how much we will change during the next twelve months.