How lack of touch has impacted us during the pandemic and last updated 2021-04-16 13:50:08-04 Physical touch is one of the five basic senses, and itâs a part of our everyday lives. âBeing social and meeting other people is, I think, the essence of being human," Dr. Helena Wasling said. "If thatâs taken away, it would be strange if we were not affected by it.â Neuroscience researcher Helena Wasling has spent years researching the human touch system. She says touch impacts how people feel and act. So when the pandemic takes away our ability to physically interact with each other, thereâs a part of us that feels empty.