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Mentor

COVID Fatigue

Posted by Merry, Volunteer Mentor @merpreb, Sep 30, 2020

I live in a college town on the ocean. My university and other schools in the area are reopening too. Unfortunately, so many people are just plain tired of wearing masks, especially college kids. I hear them for sure. When I went to college I knew everything, was immune to anything serious and I was out to conquer the world. I wasn't living in reality. College isn't the real world. It's a time for testing, experimenting and finding our limits.

But, of course, we are still in a pandemic, sharing the world with COVID-19. Now is not the time to be less caring or fatigued. Dr. Greg Poland discusses this in this weeks' podcast. He also expalins mutation in a way that I understand.

Have you felt this fatigue?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

elwooodsdad | @elwooodsdad | Sep 30, 2020

Absolutely. Quarantine for 7 months, and watching others ignore the simple things that could reduce the impact of Covid-19. The collateral issues of unemployment, business closings, lack of support by the government, health insurance losses, food insecurity, evictions on the horizon, topped off by the Presidential Debate brawl last evening...fatigue is sure and certain.

REPLY
3 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 30, 2020
In reply to @elwooodsdad "Absolutely. Quarantine for 7 months, and watching others ignore the simple things that could reduce the..." + (show)
@elwooodsdad

Absolutely. Quarantine for 7 months, and watching others ignore the simple things that could reduce the impact of Covid-19. The collateral issues of unemployment, business closings, lack of support by the government, health insurance losses, food insecurity, evictions on the horizon, topped off by the Presidential Debate brawl last evening...fatigue is sure and certain.

Jump to this post

It is hard. I get that. The COVID fatigue hasn't hit me as hard as it has hit other members of my family, like my mom who lives alone and my daughter. My daughter has been safely getting to know a new beau. They have been doing walks in the park and picnics. But for young adults, that's going to wear thin soon. And the weather will be less and less cooperative. We had a group chat safely distanced on the backyard deck yesterday to discuss how we can let young love burgeon and keep our families safe, including grandparents. Not an easy task. One thing that we all agreed upon was that we have to be open and honest about our activities, follow the safety protocols and isolate when necessary.

@merpreb, @elwooodsdad, How are you combatting this fatigue for yourself?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 30, 2020

This is a great discussion. I'm constantly reminding myself that it's still not safe to run around at will. Our numbers, including hospitalizations keep climbing as people suffer this fatigue. My poor car hardly knows me and has traveled less than 1000 miles in 5 months. I usually drive that much in 3 weeks! But every time I open a closet or drawer that's messy it gets a little cleaning. Now if a fairy would just come and do the sewing room for me...

At least we have created a circle that encompasses our kids and a few friends, even if it means wearing masks a lot.

We're busy trying to figure out with our best friends how we can safely gather this winter, we have been meetingon patiosallsummer. - the other 2 couples have very large great rooms, so we'll probably be in their homes occasionally.

My daughter and her family are trying to figure which of their many friends are as cautious as they are so they can get the kids together. Our grandsons have not been with other kids since February.

I saw my PCP yesterday and she said she's so tired of the tension and disruption she has a really hard time keeping going.

I feel the northern winter is going to be very hard on people here, especially our many struggling with paying rent and heating costs.

Sue

REPLY
3 replies
kmwiinikka | @kmwiinikka | Sep 30, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "This is a great discussion. I'm constantly reminding myself that it's still not safe to run..." + (show)
@sueinmn

This is a great discussion. I'm constantly reminding myself that it's still not safe to run around at will. Our numbers, including hospitalizations keep climbing as people suffer this fatigue. My poor car hardly knows me and has traveled less than 1000 miles in 5 months. I usually drive that much in 3 weeks! But every time I open a closet or drawer that's messy it gets a little cleaning. Now if a fairy would just come and do the sewing room for me...

At least we have created a circle that encompasses our kids and a few friends, even if it means wearing masks a lot.

We're busy trying to figure out with our best friends how we can safely gather this winter, we have been meetingon patiosallsummer. - the other 2 couples have very large great rooms, so we'll probably be in their homes occasionally.

My daughter and her family are trying to figure which of their many friends are as cautious as they are so they can get the kids together. Our grandsons have not been with other kids since February.

I saw my PCP yesterday and she said she's so tired of the tension and disruption she has a really hard time keeping going.

I feel the northern winter is going to be very hard on people here, especially our many struggling with paying rent and heating costs.

Sue

Jump to this post

I too have extreme fatigue. I wish I knew how long this will last.

REPLY
1 reply
mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Sep 30, 2020

@sueinmn. I live by myself which is hard even without covid. I feel so isolated even though I talk to my children online everyday. They find it hard too even though they have spouses and my son has a child. I talk to my friends regularly but it's nit the same as face to face interaction. My friend said she has been talking to her dog more than ever. We missed so many birthdays, anniversaries and holidays like Mother's Day etc. This time last year we were talking about Thanksgiving which we always get together at my daughter's home.

I do not have any family here in the US other than my children. I often thought I am depresses and perhaps it's covid fatigue? Or both? I go for walks to get out of the funk, but then I'm back to my four walls. I can only read that much,watch TV, follow exercises on YouTube. As I told my friends, it's like the movie Groundhog Day. You wake up in the morning and know it's going to be the same again.

My city is opening up parks, children can go to jungle gyms again. Schools are opened with great cautions. Today I took my neighbor to the opthomologist (she no longer drives) and she offered to buy me lunch, then we realized if our favorite restaurant is opened or not.

I'm finally feeling safe enough to catch up on doctor's appointments. Going to get my teeth cleaned Friday, no doubt I'll be sweating bullets until I'm done.

My daughter is coming back from their second home in Portland next month, we'll both quarantine ourselves for a couple of weeks, then she'll pick me up and take me to spend a week or so in her home. That's what I'm looking forward to.

Has anyone been losing weight during this time? My brother's doctor friend said he's seeing alot of patients with this issue. He said it's stress. Needless to say, I am not sleeping well either.

REPLY
2 replies
katiejo59 | @katiejo59 | Sep 30, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "This is a great discussion. I'm constantly reminding myself that it's still not safe to run..." + (show)
@sueinmn

This is a great discussion. I'm constantly reminding myself that it's still not safe to run around at will. Our numbers, including hospitalizations keep climbing as people suffer this fatigue. My poor car hardly knows me and has traveled less than 1000 miles in 5 months. I usually drive that much in 3 weeks! But every time I open a closet or drawer that's messy it gets a little cleaning. Now if a fairy would just come and do the sewing room for me...

At least we have created a circle that encompasses our kids and a few friends, even if it means wearing masks a lot.

We're busy trying to figure out with our best friends how we can safely gather this winter, we have been meetingon patiosallsummer. - the other 2 couples have very large great rooms, so we'll probably be in their homes occasionally.

My daughter and her family are trying to figure which of their many friends are as cautious as they are so they can get the kids together. Our grandsons have not been with other kids since February.

I saw my PCP yesterday and she said she's so tired of the tension and disruption she has a really hard time keeping going.

I feel the northern winter is going to be very hard on people here, especially our many struggling with paying rent and heating costs.

Sue

Jump to this post

Where is "up North?"...hear in south-cent. Pa. we've had a couple of mild winters. My car, as well, only got1275 miles put on since beg. of April. Here, folks are definately letting their guard down, compared w/ June/July. We have a "steady" # of cases & deaths,per those keeping track of these grim statistics.When I see young adults, for instance. grouped closely together @ the drive-up ice cream shop, I want to remind them this is still very real.Your grandsons must be having to find more & more things to do around the house. Don't have any yet(grandkids) but almost 32 yr.old son is contemplating marriage in early spring(lives in Arizona so can't wait too long in the spring, as temps go up to 99-102 by then. Kathy

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 1, 2020
In reply to @elwooodsdad "Absolutely. Quarantine for 7 months, and watching others ignore the simple things that could reduce the..." + (show)
@elwooodsdad

Absolutely. Quarantine for 7 months, and watching others ignore the simple things that could reduce the impact of Covid-19. The collateral issues of unemployment, business closings, lack of support by the government, health insurance losses, food insecurity, evictions on the horizon, topped off by the Presidential Debate brawl last evening...fatigue is sure and certain.

Jump to this post

@elwooodsdad- I hear you! I'm exhausted from even thinking about it all. It really is a lot to ask of us, to be up-beat and just roll with the punches. It's not me to do that. How are you dealing with it?

REPLY
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 1, 2020
In reply to @kmwiinikka "I too have extreme fatigue. I wish I knew how long this will last." + (show)
@kmwiinikka

I too have extreme fatigue. I wish I knew how long this will last.

Jump to this post

@kmwiinikka- Welcome to Connect! I'm uncertain if I could handle any disappointments that the future holds. How have you been doing besides fatigue?

REPLY
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 1, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "This is a great discussion. I'm constantly reminding myself that it's still not safe to run..." + (show)
@sueinmn

This is a great discussion. I'm constantly reminding myself that it's still not safe to run around at will. Our numbers, including hospitalizations keep climbing as people suffer this fatigue. My poor car hardly knows me and has traveled less than 1000 miles in 5 months. I usually drive that much in 3 weeks! But every time I open a closet or drawer that's messy it gets a little cleaning. Now if a fairy would just come and do the sewing room for me...

At least we have created a circle that encompasses our kids and a few friends, even if it means wearing masks a lot.

We're busy trying to figure out with our best friends how we can safely gather this winter, we have been meetingon patiosallsummer. - the other 2 couples have very large great rooms, so we'll probably be in their homes occasionally.

My daughter and her family are trying to figure which of their many friends are as cautious as they are so they can get the kids together. Our grandsons have not been with other kids since February.

I saw my PCP yesterday and she said she's so tired of the tension and disruption she has a really hard time keeping going.

I feel the northern winter is going to be very hard on people here, especially our many struggling with paying rent and heating costs.

Sue

Jump to this post

@sueinmn- Great points! One of the things that I have decided to do is to stop hiding as much. I finally had a dentist's appointment. A new dentist has taken over the practice that I go to and I really like him. He's redone the waiting room and has brought in really good abstract paintings. I agree that winter in New England is going to be tough. I fear too much rain as the weather has warmed throughout the years and we have less snow now. I love the snow. I'd rather be self-confined looking at snow then rivers of water coming down the hill in back of us. I'd rather be climbing the hill in the snow then seeing a waterfall. (exaggeration of course). When I go out now I see many sad eyes, stressed expressions, and people trying to have hope.

Merry

REPLY
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 1, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "@sueinmn. I live by myself which is hard even without covid. I feel so isolated even..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

@sueinmn. I live by myself which is hard even without covid. I feel so isolated even though I talk to my children online everyday. They find it hard too even though they have spouses and my son has a child. I talk to my friends regularly but it's nit the same as face to face interaction. My friend said she has been talking to her dog more than ever. We missed so many birthdays, anniversaries and holidays like Mother's Day etc. This time last year we were talking about Thanksgiving which we always get together at my daughter's home.

I do not have any family here in the US other than my children. I often thought I am depresses and perhaps it's covid fatigue? Or both? I go for walks to get out of the funk, but then I'm back to my four walls. I can only read that much,watch TV, follow exercises on YouTube. As I told my friends, it's like the movie Groundhog Day. You wake up in the morning and know it's going to be the same again.

My city is opening up parks, children can go to jungle gyms again. Schools are opened with great cautions. Today I took my neighbor to the opthomologist (she no longer drives) and she offered to buy me lunch, then we realized if our favorite restaurant is opened or not.

I'm finally feeling safe enough to catch up on doctor's appointments. Going to get my teeth cleaned Friday, no doubt I'll be sweating bullets until I'm done.

My daughter is coming back from their second home in Portland next month, we'll both quarantine ourselves for a couple of weeks, then she'll pick me up and take me to spend a week or so in her home. That's what I'm looking forward to.

Has anyone been losing weight during this time? My brother's doctor friend said he's seeing alot of patients with this issue. He said it's stress. Needless to say, I am not sleeping well either.

Jump to this post

@mayofeb2020- Living alone has to be very tough. I think that those of us who have self-quarantined have had enough and are beginning to do what you are doing, getting out, and making sure to take precautions. How will you distance your self at your daughter's house?

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