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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.

Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 7, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "My best friend's guy, his daughter, sil, and friend's cousin came yesterday for an outdoor, at..." + (show)
@fiesty76

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?

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@fiesty- Who are d. and sil and why weren't they told to cover their noses?

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 8, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "We had a fabulous Covid-fatigue reliever this weekend. With careful planning, we went on a 2..." + (show)
@sueinmn

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

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@sueinmn– Are you planning on going to your winter palace this winter?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 8, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@sueinmn- Are you planning on going to your winter palace this winter?" + (show)
@merpreb

@sueinmn– Are you planning on going to your winter palace this winter?

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Hi Merry – Maybe – we're watching the infection/hospital utilization rates down there, and if they are OK we'll go in January. Even if our clubhouse is closed, we can at least be outdoors without freezing, socialize on the patio and hike in the state and national bird refuges.
Sue

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 8, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "Hi Merry - Maybe - we're watching the infection/hospital utilization rates down there, and if they..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hi Merry – Maybe – we're watching the infection/hospital utilization rates down there, and if they are OK we'll go in January. Even if our clubhouse is closed, we can at least be outdoors without freezing, socialize on the patio and hike in the state and national bird refuges.
Sue

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Sue- You seem very good at thinking of everything before you do it. I hope that you can do what you want but in lieu of that, I'll know that you are safer.

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Oct 9, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@migizii- I live in a tourist town too. Our governor opened the state up too fast..." + (show)
@merpreb

@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

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@merpreb, So glad to hear you tested negative for the virus!

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Oct 9, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@fiesty- Who are d. and sil and why weren't they told to cover their noses?" + (show)
@merpreb

@fiesty- Who are d. and sil and why weren't they told to cover their noses?

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@merpreb, I should have mentioned in my earlier post that I did ask them to cover their noses and they did. It made me uncomfortable to have to ask: d. (friend's daughter) and sil (son-in-law).

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 9, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "@merpreb, I should have mentioned in my earlier post that I did ask them to cover..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@merpreb, I should have mentioned in my earlier post that I did ask them to cover their noses and they did. It made me uncomfortable to have to ask: d. (friend's daughter) and sil (son-in-law).

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@fiesty76– I know, it's an awful position to be in. So far I've been in 2 instances where people haven't covered their noses. One gave me a hairy eyeball and the other I was too tired to say anything. I wish that I had an answer to getting a point across without being punched or yelled at.

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bustrbrwn22 | @bustrbrwn22 | Oct 9, 2020

I’m concerned about trick or treating. We live in an area with a lot of small children and I don’t want to expose myself to the virus unnecessarily. Keep in mind some of these parents have called me a fxxxxxx bxxxx for my dog peeing on their mailbox. How would they react to a sign that we won’t be handing out treats. It’s becoming a very scary, decisive world. This doesn’t help my anxiety or possibly anxiety/stress induced conditions

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6 replies
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 9, 2020
In reply to @bustrbrwn22 "I’m concerned about trick or treating. We live in an area with a lot of small..." + (show)
@bustrbrwn22

I’m concerned about trick or treating. We live in an area with a lot of small children and I don’t want to expose myself to the virus unnecessarily. Keep in mind some of these parents have called me a fxxxxxx bxxxx for my dog peeing on their mailbox. How would they react to a sign that we won’t be handing out treats. It’s becoming a very scary, decisive world. This doesn’t help my anxiety or possibly anxiety/stress induced conditions

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@bustrbrwn22– Here is another example of COVID fatigue because it's one more thing to consider, kids and holidays. I'm going to begin another post with just this theme. Thank you for your question and concern.

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mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Oct 9, 2020
In reply to @bustrbrwn22 "I’m concerned about trick or treating. We live in an area with a lot of small..." + (show)
@bustrbrwn22

I’m concerned about trick or treating. We live in an area with a lot of small children and I don’t want to expose myself to the virus unnecessarily. Keep in mind some of these parents have called me a fxxxxxx bxxxx for my dog peeing on their mailbox. How would they react to a sign that we won’t be handing out treats. It’s becoming a very scary, decisive world. This doesn’t help my anxiety or possibly anxiety/stress induced conditions

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@bustrbrwn22. My daughter and I decided that we are not participating in treat or treat this year. I didn't have one single one last year. My daughter usually has many treat or treaters but she's going dark this year for safety's sake. People have to understand this is a very trying time, and not that we are anti social. Those who don't can move on.

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