Pandemic Fatigue

This term 'pandemic fatigue' has been floating around in the news.  Fatigue is defined as extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion.  The idea of pandemic fatigue refers to how a large part of the population is feeling - exhausted from uncertainty and the seemingly unending outbreak.  We, as a population, have tried our best to follow instructions.  We have worn masks, socially distanced, cancelled or postponed events.  We have even totally sheltered in place for an extended period of time.  We have downloaded zoom and are trying to feel like seeing people's faces on a screen is close enough to seeing them in person, when it reality it is nowhere near the same. 

The U.S has had more than 8 million cases of coronavirus and this number is still going up.  Europe is also starting to see a rise in cases now.  Much of this rise is due to the fact that people are not handling their pandemic fatigue well.  One New York Times article states that "there is a growing tendency to risk the dangers of the coronavirus, out of desire or necessity: With no end in sight, many people are flocking to bars, family parties, bowling alleys and sporting events much as they did before the virus hit, and others must return to school or work as communities seek to resuscitate economies."  Basically, people are fed up and deciding to go back to doing what they did before the pandemic, even if it isn't safe.

And honestly, I don't blame people for feeling this way.  It's exhausting.  In the spring, there was a sense of fear and an effort by most to band together.  A movement of 'we are all in this together, even while alone' broke out.  Individuals put up teddy bears in their windows for neighborhood kids to do teddy bear hunts.  This fall, however, brings the fatigue.  Summer was a bust and now we still aren't out of the woods of this pandemic.  And we are absolutely over it.  One nurse described it as if we sprinted the first part of a race, but are now realizing that it's a marathon and we are very tired.

There has been some collateral damage from this pandemic, as if all of the death and sickness isn't enough.....   Many people have lost their income, their sense of security, their access to community services and their social calendar.  People are often confused about what restrictions are in place.  States and cities have been constantly changing their rules.  Some places are easing restrictions while others are reintroducing them as cases start to increase once again.  The messages that we are receiving about the virus are confusing.  Some individuals believe that it would be better to get the virus, so that they can have the antibodies if/when they survive it.  But there is not proof that having the antibodies means that you can't get the virus again or transmit it to others.  

As the holidays are quickly approaching, many people have been considering what they will do as far as travel is concerned.  Some are scared to go see older family members, as they are more susceptible to the virus.  Others don't know if they are comfortable with their normal methods of holiday travel.  Airports and train stations are normally packed just before Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This high concentration of people would make social distancing a challenge.  Of course, seeing family members would most likely be cathartic for most, as many have avoided celebrations and gatherings during the pandemic.  But will it be possible for most people?

I, unfortunately, don't have the answers to these questions.  I am trying to figure out my own holiday time with my family.  I want to see them and do it safely.  This will likely mean traveling by car and staying for longer periods of time.  It will also probably mean getting tested for COVID-19 quite a few times, to monitor my status.  The holidays don't need any added stress and they normally come with plenty.  But I have a feeling that this year especially, we will be feeling grateful for the family that we can see, as so many have lost theirs through this pandemic.

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one with these thoughts at the forefront of my brain.  It helps to acknowledge that everyone is feeling some sort of fatigue these days.  As the days get shorter and we head into the colder days of winter, it can be even more challenging to stay positive and upbeat.  I know that I personally plan to add a vitamin D supplement into my daily routine because seasonal affective disorder is a very real thing in the northeast in winter.  I want to be proactive to help myself combat environmental factors that might exacerbate the pandemic fatigue that I am already feeling.

I'll wrap it up with the same suggestions that I've had in a few other posts.  Reach out to those that you can.  Family, friends, colleagues and strangers are probably all looking for a bright spot in their day.  A message from you might be just what the doctor ordered.  I have taken to sending cute or funny gifs to my friends at random just to let them know that I'm thinking about them.  And many have told me that they are grateful for a laugh to break up the otherwise stressful world we live in.

Leslie Knope from Parks & Rec is one of my favorite to send gifs of, just as an fyi.  She has some hilariously quotable lines.  And she also knows that it's important to check in with and encourage yourself too.  See examples below! :)

-Vicky