Pandemic fatigue, tired conditions facing pandemic uncertainty

Read all articles about coronavirus (COVID-19) here.

There is no sign that the pandemic will end in the near future, therefore the public is still asked to carry out routine prevention of transmission of COVID-19. Reducing activities outside the home, wearing masks, keeping your distance, and washing your hands frequently must become new habits. For months living in the midst of a pandemic with all the limitations and uncertainty of when this outbreak will end, many people are bored and tired or are currently known as pandemic fatigue .

What is that pandemic fatigue and how to solve it?

Do you still remember the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic entering Indonesia? High vigilance of most of the people led them to follow directions to limit their outdoor activities. Many cafes and restaurants have changed their business to a delivery service, and a number of future couples have been willing to postpone their wedding ceremony

Entering the Eid al-Fitr holiday, the government cut collective leave and moved it at the end of the year, with the hope that by the end of the year the pandemic can be controlled. Most still have high spirits to prevent transmission, plus hope that the pandemic will end soon.

But entering the end of the year, with all the efforts made, the spread of COVID-19 cannot be controlled. As of Thursday (19/11) there have been a total of 478,720 cases of which 76,347 are still active. The increase in cases every day is still in the thousands, even last Saturday there were 5,000 new cases in one day.

For months of facing this condition, many people feel tired and no longer motivated to stick to the COVID-19 prevention protocol.

Pandemic fatigue makes people less likely to take the dangerous risk of contracting the virus. Lots of people flock to the mall or party. They try to do activities like they were before the pandemic, either out of desire, need, or boredom.

“At the start of a crisis, most people can take advantage of the ability spike, which is the pool of physical and mental adaptation abilities to survive short-term situations in extremely stressful situations. However, when dire circumstances drag on, they have to adopt a different way of adaptation because it is possible fatigue and demotivation occurs, "wrote the WHO on its official website.

Tiredness or decreased motivation to follow this COVID-19 preventive health protocol appears gradually and increases over time. This condition slowly arises because it is influenced by a number of emotions, experiences and perceptions.

In the records of the World Health Organization (WHO), pandemic fatigue reported to occur because they have a low risk perception of the dangers of COVID-19. The effectiveness of calls to adhere to the 3M protocol is slowly decreasing due to a variety of factors. Therefore, the government needs another, more refreshing approach.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,024,298

Confirmed

831,330

Recovered

28,855

DeathDistribution Map

The challenge of setting a new lifestyle is ongoing

As the pandemic continues, it is understandable that some people are getting tired of continuously implementing the health protocol for preventing the corona virus. But that doesn't mean there aren't any ways to get motivated again to stay alert.

"Trying to stick to something extra is always a tough challenge," says Carisa Parrish, clinical psychologist John Hopkins Medicine.

According to Parrish, implementing behavior change on an ongoing basis is difficult, especially when none of your family or people around you has contracted COVID-19. Many people may find it unnecessary to adopt new habits based on seemingly unreal risks.

"Unfortunately, some people feel a little happy about doing something risky and running away from the consequences," said Parrish.

Therefore, according to him, a commitment to keep taking care of yourself for the sake of personal health and for others is the main key. As much as possible, staying informed and flexible in dealing with changes and health concerns, making prevention protocols a daily habit, and always being ready for masks and hand washing must be kept in habit.

In addition, understanding the risks and consequences of various other people's stories can also raise awareness and other perspectives in understanding the COVID-19 outbreak. "Accepting new realities and committing to remain adaptable to health protocols can prevent transmission of COVID-19 or other outbreaks in the future," concluded Parrish.