Dealing with Pandemic Fatigue

AONN+ Blog published on October 26, 2020 in COVID-19
Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG
Editor-in-Chief, JONS; Co-Founder, AONN+; University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Co-Developer, Work Stride-Managing Cancer at Work, Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions

As the pandemic continues, patients with cancer may experience fatigue around wanting to wear a mask and continuing to follow CDC guidelines. The risk of COVID-19 is still prevalent, and we need to remain persistent in protecting ourselves and others.

Yes, pandemic fatigue is a real thing. Mask fatigue, COVID-19 fatigue, tired of following CDC guidelines fatigue–call it what you want, but it is real.

People can become lax in wanting to continue to follow scientific guidelines. Even I look at my mask periodically and grumble at it, until I put it on and think to myself, “Thank heavens we have a way to help protect ourselves and one another right now.” Masks should be worn CORRECTLY (no one’s nose should be showing); we should be staying a minimum of 6 feet apart and washing our hands frequently to lessen the spread of COVID-19. We can also choose to wear disposable nitrile gloves when in stores or places where we may be touching items that have already been touched by other people, and then turn the gloves inside out as they are removed and dispose of them.

 
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