COVID Fatigue

A consensus has been formed among most Americans. They are tired, bored and disheartened about the constant news reports about COVID. A new pandemic has formed and it is called COVID Fatigue.

Most Americans do not know what to believe anymore. For example, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) updated its website and is now saying that the N95 and KN95 is offering better protection against COVID-19. (Now we have names for masks.) This is due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. They haven’t specifically stated whether to get rid of the cloth masks. Do we get rid of all the masks we have purchased or do we go spend more money on the recommended N95 and KN95? The CDC didn’t tell us that these new masks are made in China. The organization did say that if you don’t know how to wear these new masks properly, stay with what you are used to wearing. That is confusing. That’s kind of a mixed message.

In a recent news report, the news anchor stated that over 700,000 new cases of the Omicron variant were recorded in one day. We are a big country but that number seemed exaggerated. How do these news agencies get these numbers anyway?

And on top of everything else, at home COVID tests kits are almost impossible to find and there has been a price hike on this item, too. The government and news anchors keep advising the American people to get tested, get tested, and to get tested. How is that supposed to happen if the test kits are not available and a lot of people cannot afford them? I saw on a recent news report that test kits are being made 24 hours a day. Where are those kits?

Many people have expressed to me that they no longer listen to the news. They are tired of hearing about COVID. They are told one thing and then the next day it changes. They don’t know who to believe anymore. Believe it or not, many Americans no longer watch television. But is that safe especially during this pandemic? We do have to take into consideration how to be cautious, for others and for ourselves.

COVID Fatigue can be the result of sadness, fear, depression, anxiety, and exhaustion with the demands of life changes during this pandemic. Just think about the changes that have occurred during this pandemic. Wearing masks, social distancing, stricter travel guidelines, working at home instead of in the office, remote learning, food shortages, etc. I have heard from friends and family that this world will never go back to the way it was. It has forever changed. That can be scary to many. On the other hand, several people tell me that they will not live in fear due to this pandemic. They are going to continue with their life.

Some of us have lost loved ones due to COVID. We sympathize with these people. COVID has affected all of us in one way or another. But, one positive note has come from this disease. Americans have learned to appreciate the health care workers who have spent countless hours taking care of COVID patients. Their care, dedication, and support has made us appreciate them so much.

How can we overcome COVID Fatigue? Consider listening to the news only once a day. Listen to someone who, to you, is a trusted news source. When you do listen to the news, try to have some discernment. Take into consideration if what is being reported sounds right or wrong. Try to stay positive. Listen to music, write a thank you note to a health care worker, journal, read a book, paint, cook, take up a new hobby, join a Bible study group, exercise, enjoy nature in your own back yard.

We, as Americans, continue to rally through this pandemic. We will get through this.