Back in March of 2020, in my naivety, I assumed we were in for 2, maybe 3 months, of pandemic restrictions. Three months seemed like a long time, but, I thought, we can do this! Our parents and grandparents lived through the Great Depression and World War II. Surely, we can wear masks, cook our own meals, and stay six-feet away from people who aren't living in our households. This first phase of the pandemic served to bring people together-if only metaphorically. But, here we are, at the time of this writing, 14 months later, and people are suffering from pandemic fatigue. Cooking every meal at home lasted about 6 weeks for me. My first carry-out dinner tasted like manna from heaven. Summer of 2020 brought a respite, with warmer weather allowing outdoor socializing. Dining out became easier as restaurants added outdoor seating. Here in Michigan, a warm fall season allowed us to continue outdoor meetings and dining through parts of November.
Then winter arrived, and the second (or was it the third?) wave rolled in. Community spirit gave way to disillusionment and anger. People were tired of restrictions, tired of being careful, tired of being scared, tired of feeling hopeless and helpless. The success and release of the Pfizer and Moderna immunizations brought a measure of hope. An end in sight! But, the vaccines brought their own controversies-which one was best? Were they too rushed? Were they safe? Who should be prioritized? Clinicians at independent home care agencies that are unaffiliated with medical centers experienced difficulty accessing the vaccine, and patients are understandably reluctant to allow unvaccinated clinicians in their homes. Clinicians who visit patients in assisted living centers are being asked to have a negative test the day of the visit, adding a logistical nightmare and costly step to their daily schedules.
It is exhausting, but an end is in sight. According to UCLA Health (2020), there are steps you can take: 1. Take care of your body; 2. Limit your news intake; 3. Lower your stress; 4. Connect with others; 5. Accept your feelings; 6. Try positive self-talk; and 7. Create new traditions. I am convinced that in 10 years, we will look back with nostalgia, at a time where we were forced to slow down, connect with others, and appreciate the little things in life.
With warm regards,
REFERENCE