For several weeks now, news of coronavirus infections has continued to appear in the media. Unsurprisingly, the vision of a pandemic makes many people fearful - a particular group of patients in whom reports of coronavirus can lead to their condition worsening are those with mental disorders. They may even, unfortunately, experience an exacerbation of their condition - this is where the challenges facing psychiatrists in the current epidemiological situation become clear. [Article dated March 2020]