As we approach a week off of school, when COVID-19 cases are reaching their highest in months, many people are dealing with the newest disease: COVID Fatigue. After dealing with a difficult pandemic affecting people of all ages and backgrounds, there are still people who care more about celebrating than being safe.
Believe me, this pandemic has been difficult. I’ve been lonely, lost, sad, and hopeless. I know it’s my responsibility to be as safe as I can and do my duty to stop the spread. I do acknowledge that I am not perfect, I still socialize six feet apart and have even traveled, but things are constantly changing, and the CDC is reintroducing certain guidelines that were previously rolled back.
Even early in the quarantine process, people were breaking rules. Going to parties, social events, breaking the six-feet-apart mark. I remember in early May, I heard about my peers gathering at parks and breaking state-wide requirements, while I sat at home, doing my job.
We all are facing this fatigue: we wish life was back to normal, and try to act like it to feel like it. But in order to create a solution, we have to break down the problem.
- 1. March COVID has been different than November COVID. Authors at UC Davis remind us that the early stages of the pandemic had a lot of community building. Signs on yards applauding first responders and the daily seven o’clock cheer were a few. As summer approached, we felt more normal and socialized in the warm, outdoor weather. Now, restaurants are back to a smaller capacity without outdoor seating, and most schools are online. But, the summer feelings of normality are still there.
- 2. Teens feel like they’re losing their youth. After losing what feels like years of lost teenage time, many young adults go out and do what they normally would. I totally fall into this boat. Well, I probably wouldn’t have been invited to a party pre-Corona, but I didn’t see my friends for months. As of late, my family has put me on social lockdown, and the rare exceptions have me wear a mask the entire time.
- 3. There is fatigue of the entire concept. Honestly, every time someone says the words “Corona” or “COVID”, I want to scream. I’m tired of this being what everyone wants to talk about. I’m tired of worrying all the time. The combination of this and the former two problems combine into the likely cause of the recent influx of cases.
Yes, these are all the problems, but most people already know them. What’s more important, is to talk about the solutions.
- 1. Being thankful. Perfect timing at that. We’re all so fortunate to even be worried about all of this. Be thankful to your family who support you, the friends who kept you going, and ESPECIALLY the essential workers who don’t have the luxury to feel this fatigue.
- 2. Revert your thinking. Flashback to March 13, and think about how scared everyone felt, and how cautious we were. Now I’m not saying you should raid the closest King Soopers, but nothing about this pandemic has changed, and our vigilance shouldn’t either.
- 3.Recognize you are the problem and the solution. If you are taking all precautions possible and are keeping yourself and your family safe, all the power to you. If you are breaking rules and putting yourself and countless others at risk, understand your burden. People are dying. Just stay home.
I am so tired and sick of this pandemic. I’m done with wearing a mask everywhere. I hate not living while I’m young. Regardless, I want to do my job and stop the spread. The only way we can stop this pandemic, and I don’t mean to sound cheesy, is to be all in this together. Be very safe this Thanksgiving, and please, do not go Black Friday shopping.
