Pandemic fatigue

I’m pretty tired of reading basically the same headlines in the newspaper(s) each morning, hearing the same NPR stories, and watching the same reports on the evening news.

The pandemic always leads. If I have heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times - get vaxxed and boosted, wear masks, avoid crowds, cases are rising (at least someplace), new variants are cropping up, new meds are approved, yada, yada, yada. Dr. Faucci, I am sure you are a great guy, but man, am I tired of seeing your mug every damn day.

OK, this is important stuff to know. People are dying. Hospitals are full. Politics is roiling over mandates.

But I am starting to tune out - and I wonder how many other people are as well. The constant drumbeat of the same message starts to fade into the background like the hum of one’s refrigerator. 

Apparently, I am not alone. A quick search turned up “COVID Fatigue: How to Cope with Pandemic Burnout,” Healthline, Oct 18, 2021. The article (“medically reviewed”), states that:

At the beginning of the pandemic, your short-term survival skills kick in. Fear keeps you motivated. But over time, fear subsides and frustration grows. Exhaustion — and complacency — set in.

 and

As the pandemic drags on, more people are tiring of restrictions such as mask-wearing and social distancing. Growing tired of inconvenient public safety measures may be natural, but experts say it could prolong the pandemic even further.

The article does offer advice on keeping from being overwhelmed by COVID news:

• Limit your news-gathering to a specific time. Some people find it helpful to check the news just once per day — and at the same time daily.

• Consider the source. Seek information from trusted, reliable sources. Studies show that when pandemic-related news coverage is laced with highly emotional commentary, it increases anxiety. And anxiety can lead to fatigue.

I am guilty as sin of over “news-gathering.”

My sense is fatigue may do more to prolong this pandemic than active resistance to vaccines, mask wearing, or avoidance of large gatherings.

 Be aware!

Side note: I wrote this post over the course of the last few days. In this morning’s Sunday Star Tribute the above the fold front page headline read: Virus fatigue: enough is enough December 26, 2021. I wonder if the editors recognize the paper’s part in creating the fatigue? 

Comments

[Jim]

I stopped obsessively checking the news in February. I still check it, but just quick checks and I’m out. I’d rather focus on the (very little, admittedly) things I have some control over.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Ninja,

Yeah, too much discretionary time might be a downside to retirement. I gotta do a better job of controlling my news consumption.

Doug