Is It Over Yet? A Socio-Psychological Analysis of the Romanians` Behaviour during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced not only the global economy, all types of industry and education, but it has changed our everyday life. An affluence of studies investigating the impact of COVID-19 on people’s behaviour, both from a psychological, and from a sociological point of view has been found. Based on a data research of Google searches from December 2018 until December 2020, using Keyword Planner, we were able to analyse the trends of Romanians’ searches related to four categories: travelling, cooking, fitness or food delivery. Our results show that along with mental health, people’s habits when it comes to everyday activities have been significantly impacted since the outbreak of the coronavirus. Personal boundaries were challenged as home become the new office, the new gym, and the new classroom, all in one. Traveling abroad was replaced by staying at home or by tours within the borders of the country, while planes and public transportation were replaced by walking, riding bicycles, scooters or driving personal vehicles. Heading out for groceries or going out for dinner were substituted by a massive interest in cooking at home, shopping online or looking up for food delivery services. Moreso, gyms and churches were no longer an option for sports addicts or for religious citizens during the lockdown phases. As both media and scholars signal, the pandemic has been a curse for most, a blessing for some.

Keywords

• covid-19
• romanians
• travelling
• cooking
• fitness
• food delivery.