COVID Fatigue

@colleenyoung- Boy do you have your hands and minds full ad worrisome with this new development! It's a struggle for sure right now to combat anything. I'm very tired in a sense but I might be getting my second wind. My sister and I are going to start little adventures along our beaches where there are fewer people and fresh air. We are also planning on Thanksgiving and maybe having a zoom cocktail hour with other family members.

Dave and I struggle to make sure that we talk about how we can't even think straight. I'm not a huge success in combatting fatigue for myself. I struggle with it. It's also a complexity with me because I have PTSD. I tend to crawl into a ball on my bed and lost myself too much in movies.

As you can see, it's a mixed bag with me.

@mayofeb202, @sueinmn, @merpreb, and others, Reading all responses with interest and as @sueinmn mentioned, I finally decided during the summer to make and keep some of those "postponed appts" I kept putting off Because I began to fear what the fall/winter would add to the mix with annual flu outbreaks. I've seen dentist, kidney doc, done kidney and bone density labs and been once to the hairdresser since early March and have had two repairmen inside for repairs/replacements. Put ea. appt on calendars and watched for 14 days for any covid symptoms. So far, very lucky.

Because I've lived alone and without family in state, I've found myself strangely less outwardly stressed or fearful than most others I know. Probably because I self-quarantined early on and still remind myself to start the car to keep the battery up, I am doing all I know to stay as safe as possible. Also I find it rather easy to entertain myself ... probably because I'm pretty simple minded...lol

However, early on, time just seemed to meld together and each day could be "any' on my calendar. A sense of malaise just seemed to descend and I've become accustomed to going through daily rituals and routines sort of on automatic pilot in something like a fog. Perhaps, for me, an early onset of a form of covid fatigue discussed by Dr. Poland.

Our state shut down for 2 weeks before being one of the first to reopen and now is 75% reopened. It should come as no surprise that not only have people here not observed the basic precautions but also still continue their lives "as usual".

Because I find the media news upsetting, I've been steering clear but yesterday did check a local channel for a weather report. It was shocking to learn that our small city of 200,00+ is now reporting 300 new covid cases/day and that our 184 ICU designated beds at our three hospitals are at near capacity.

We have multiple colleges, trade schools and public education choices here as well and those are adding to the increase in numbers however, the local doc giving the updated virus report made clear that it was not only the younger adults increasing the numbers but also those across all age brackets.

I found Dr. Poland's interview particularly helpful in talking about the need for increased use of air purifiers and hepa filters. The more possible ways to exchange air, the better. I'll be sharing his link with family and friends because this pandemic isn't going to evaporate or come under control anytime soon. Winter will find most of us spending more time inside as well.

Our 10 yr old is sharing online classes with 2 others and and a hired tutor. Each family "hosts" the group for one week at a time and all are observing similar virus precautions. I think installing air purifiers for their indoor instruction times will be helpful and add another layer of protection.

Discussion forums here are providing a much needed added benefit now because of the sub-groups for other interest pursuits. Thanks to all who share in these forums and a huge thanks to MayoClinic for providing this safe place to learn during these stressful, uncertain times.

@migizii. I so agree with you on the reasons stated for your covid fatigue.....if only people could do the things necessary to help each other. It would bring our lives back to a more functional level of functioning for most everyone. Some days I just feel sad😔

@migizii in response to katiejo59-I live in Bemidji, MN about 80 miles from international falls and the Canadian border.....we have long, cold, harsh winters but not the heavy snow storms....it just doesn’t go away! It just keeps piling up til spring because we rarely get warm enough to ever melt any of it😂😔😂😔😂

@migizii- HAs your community seen a lot of COVID-19?

In reply to Merry- we have had a steady uptick over the last few weeks as well as over the summer when all the tourists were here. I don’t think having the Trump rally a couple weeks ago helped either as our community is divided on mask wearing and were getting better at wearing them, generally until the rally😔. Our community has about 20,000 people and we have about 450 cases-up 100 cases in the past 2 weeks.

My best friend's guy, his daughter, sil, and friend's cousin came yesterday for an outdoor, at the table visit. Beautiful day and shade from 2 trees made it very comfortable weather wise. All wore masks but the d. and sil didn't cover their noses. That was the largest "social group" I've been with since March. It was treat for me for all reasons.

They live in Boise, Idaho and it was great learning more about their city, state and outdoor opportunities for hiking, fishing, etc. She is part owner of a large sporting goods store and said that while there business has been hurt by the pandemic in overall sales, their gun and ammunition sales have managed a 138% increase in sales since March. While Idaho is like Texas in being a large game hunting state...they have a hunting period for cougars!! wow...none of those in this area and apparently very illusive because they creep up silently behind prey...shudder, she said that most of the gun sales were of the "self-protection" vs hunting variety.

However, I'd been so looking forward to the visit that after they left, I felt quite letdown knowing that I'd be back to the "same ole, same ole" afterwards. Anticipation and looking forward to special times is so important, I just hadn't counted on my loss of spirits later. Certainly wasn't fatigue from the visit but more discouragement that no other "looked forward to" occasions were on the calendar.

Now I'm wondering if I've been concentrating so hard on staying positive and upbeat during these trying times that has created its own form of fatigue stress?

We are experiencing a large uptick as well locally in Covid cases and hospitalizations. I will continue to self-quarantine for the most part but have to admit there are days when I just want to go streaking out and into every favorite store just to regain a touch of pre-covid normalcy. Any others feeling a similar urge?

We had a fabulous Covid-fatigue reliever this weekend. With careful planning, we went on a 2 day, 1 night 'venture (adventure) with our daughter and family. The 6 of us have been in the same "Covid bubble" since June, though we wear masks when in close spaces together. We traveled in separate vehicles to 2 rooms in a favorite motel after we assured ourselves of their Covid protocols. We paid for Friday & Saturday nights to be sure the rooms were empty for over 24 hours, and arrived Saturday morning. On arrival we opened doors & windows, removed comforters from the beds & carefully sanitized all touch surfaces in both rooms (including spraying Lysol thoroughly on all fabric & vertical surfaces within reach of our little boys.) Then we spread a clean tablecloth on one bed to serve as our "dining room." We brought all food for the trip except our Saturday night pizza.

Our adventure Saturday included a walk in the North Woods where the leaves are changing, family photos at a traditional spot (our 50th year there!), special snacks, visiting Grandpa's childhood home, a romp in the park, and takeout pizza from a favorite restaurant. Then Grandpa & Grandma took the little boys to settle them down after the excitement while Mom & Dad took the dog for a walk. Sunday we went to watch the "big trucks" in the mine pits, and ended up playing with magnets in ore-laden dirt, seeing which rocks were magnetic and marveling at the soil that stuck to the magnets. (Daddy was as fascinated as the 4 year old.) As we left them, they were covered with red dust, headed for a night & day at Dad's (empty) family cabin, and still smiling.

We're exhausted, but the looks of pure joy, and the giddiness of two little boys at being in a different place and having new things to do was totally worth it! I don't think the 4 year old stopped smiling from the time he recognized the motel until he fell asleep.

I posted this long message as an example that it is entirely possible to travel safely during Covid, though it does require extra thought & preparation. We had no personal contact with anyone except the motel manager (masked) to get the key, and the cashier at the bar (to get the pizza.) This is our fourth overnight or longer trip during Covid, and we have had no negative repercussions on any of them. In addition, we make many day trips to outdoor venues - even a walk at the beach or state park can provide relief; you can sit on a bench if walking isn't your thing. Just keep your mask handy and wash your hands...

Sue

@sueinmn, Sounds delightful! Nature, being with loved ones and laughter are among the very best healers for whatever ails us!

@migizii- I live in a tourist town too. Our governor opened the state up too fast and we are not doing well. I had a COVID tests 2 days ago because of a procedure and I tested negative. Schools are opening and the universities are rampant with the virus