{"id":15713,"date":"2020-12-07T22:25:49","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T22:25:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/?p=15713"},"modified":"2020-12-11T16:00:28","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T16:00:28","slug":"covid_fatigue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/covid_fatigue\/","title":{"rendered":"Throwing COVID-19-related cautions to the wind"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Nissa<\/em><\/p>\n

By Nissa Shaffi, NCL\u00a0Associate Director of Health Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the past nine months, we\u2019ve lived in a state of hypervigilance. The meticulous precautions we\u2019ve observed throughout the pandemic have taken a toll on us. At worse, we\u2019ve lost a loved one, friend, or coworker to this incessant virus. At best, we\u2019ve been forced to recalibrate our routines and our lives. This collective weariness, to which experts have coined \u201cCOVID-19 Caution Fatigue<\/a>“<\/u>\u00a0is a prevailing factor in the current spike in cases.<\/p>\n

When we are subjected to high levels of stress (e.g.,<\/em> high alert related to COVID-19), it can activate the stress hormone, cortisol. High levels of this hormone can cause us to become desensitized<\/a> to the stimuli that triggered the stress hormone in the first place. Meaning, we start to ease up on our vigilance because the threat feels less real. These factors compounded\u2014by feelings of isolation due to limited social contact\u2011\u2014may have caused us to lose the motivation to maintain safe practices.<\/p>\n

We see evidence of this as people are increasingly dining indoors<\/a>, gathering for weddings<\/a>, going to rallies<\/a>, and are boarding flights<\/a> nationwide. These behaviors are considered responsible for \u201csuperspreader events<\/a>,<\/u>\u201d where COVID positive people expose multiple others. On average, every person with COVID-19 can potentially transmit the virus to two to three<\/a> additional people. This has a multiplier effect with people spreading it, in turn, to another two to three people, and, well, you get the picture.<\/p>\n

Dr. Fauci has warned<\/a> that large gatherings during the holiday season could lead to \u201ca surge superimposed upon that surge that we\u2019re already in.\u201d The pandemic demands personal sacrifices\u2014which in turn leads to COVID induced malaise. I\u2019ve personally RSVP\u2019d \u201cNo\u201d to a couple of family weddings\u2014because the health and safety of my family matters more than joining them for a round of the \u201cCha Cha Slide.\u201d<\/p>\n

We must listen to public health experts. As I write this, the United States has more than 14.2 million COVID-19 cases and 275,000 deaths. These sad statistics will increase throughout the holiday season. Here are some ways you can combat COVID-19 Caution Fatigue:<\/p>\n