Pandemic Fatigue Affecting People Around The World

As we reach almost one year of dealing with the COVID-19 virus worldwide, many people are beginning to experience pandemic fatigue.

As we reach almost one year of dealing with the COVID-19 virus worldwide, many people are beginning to experience pandemic fatigue. But the results of such fatigue can be devastating.

Pandemic Fatigue: What It Is and How It Is Affecting People Around The World

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly reshaped this past year for people all around the world. It has wreaked havoc in governments, households, stock markets, small businesses and even relationships. Not much of regular life looks the same as it did a year ago. Now that an entire year has almost passed, many people are reaching a point of frustration with having to alter so much of their lives. Experts are calling this “pandemic fatigue”. According to WDG Public Health, “‘Pandemic fatigue’ can occur when people get tired of the pandemic measures and become less likely to follow public health practices or simply begin to drown out those messages. A natural sense of burnout can happen since we’ve had to stick to these public health measures for such a prolonged period of time. Pandemic fatigue can be experienced differently for everyone but often presents itself as feeling restless, irritable, lacking motivation, and difficulty concentrating on tasks”. The effects of pandemic fatigue can vary in severity based on many factors-age, marital/relationship status, socioeconomic status, race and gender. Some research has shown youth and young adults suffering the most, as they are still establishing themselves and their relationships. Without the ability to socialize in person and enjoy being in public, many are growing weary and lonely. With the lower risk of complications or death, many youth also find it hard to continue staying apart and are not continuing to maintain the social distancing/stay at home suggestions from many health officials.

This level of fatigue and the symptoms it causes can have many health implications. First and foremost, the lack of motivation is extremely detrimental to those trying to lose weight or get healthy. It is hard enough to maintain a long term intrinsic/internal drive to workout or stay moving in a work out program, let alone during a year-long global pandemic. Many Americans who lost their motivation a few months into 2020 have found it hard to get back on track with their fitness activities. Another health side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting pandemic fatigue is stress and restlessness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that stress during an infectious disease outbreak can sometimes lead to the following:

Fear and worry about personal health, loved ones, job loss, finances, etc
Changes in sleep or eating patterns
Difficulty concentrating
Worsening of previous chronic health problems
Worsening of mental health conditions
Increased substance abuse (drugs, tobacco, alcohol, etc)

The longer that the world is dealing with this pandemic, the more fatigue and related symptoms will increase. Another concern health officials have with pandemic fatigue is that the general population will begin to relax on following health guidelines, and many areas around the world are already seeing this trend. With the holidays on the horizon, many family and social gatherings could lead to a large spike worldwide. The holidays are usually considered a happy time, where friends and families gather together, share meals and spend much of their time indoors. During a global pandemic, these behaviors are highly discouraged due to the increased risk of gathering together with many people. Due to pandemic fatigue, many Americans are choosing to continue their holiday rituals and traveling to be together. Many airlines report strong bookings over the holidays despite the encouragement to stay home. With families choosing to fly, some gathering from many different parts of the country, health officials are all very nervous there will be spikes all over the country.

If you are feeling any of these symptoms, rest assured you are not alone. Many, if not all, have identified with one or more of the pandemic fatigue symptoms at some point through the year. It is important-for your health and those around you-to continue following safety measures. Wearing masks in public, staying home whenever possible, minimizing parties and social gatherings and extra hand washing will all help in the fight against COVID-19. Hopefully we will see an end in sight, but in the meantime we will get through it. People are resilient and strong in nature and with a little patience can conquer any mountain, no matter how big.

How to Enjoy Thanksgiving During a Pandemic

Thanksgiving in 2020 may look and feel different, but it’s still possible to stay safe and healthy while enjoying the holiday.

How to Enjoy Thanksgiving and Stay Healthy in the Coronavirus
Pandemic

Thanksgiving in 2020 may look and feel different, but it’s still possible to stay safe and healthy while enjoying the holiday.

Many people can agree that this past year has been unprecedented, a year like no other that we have experienced in this generation. The entire world has been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, no region untouched. As we near the holiday season, it is clear that Thanksgiving and even Christmas will likely be celebrated differently. Just because our holiday traditions may not be the same in 2020 doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the fellowship of family and friends while staying safe, healthy and protecting others.

Keep Gatherings Small-or Virtual

Many Thanksgiving traditions involve gathering with family and friends. Thanksgiving has historically been one of the biggest travel times every year but with the novel Coronavirus pandemic, many travel plans have halted and people have opted to stay home with their immediate families to stay healthy. Others may just keep their circles smaller with close family. No matter what you decide, staying safe and healthy this year doesn’t mean you have to feel completely disconnected. Earlier this year when many states were on a stay at home requirement, families and friends gathered over Zoom calls, FaceTime, or other video apps to share meals, a happy hour, weddings, birthdays and other joyous occasions. The holidays can be a time of celebration from afar, but still together. So raise a glass to your computer screen and smile at the faces on the other side, knowing that we won’t be apart forever.

Don’t Let a Thanksgiving Cheat Meal Become a Cheat Week

Many health experts, trainers, health coaches and nutritionists will tell you-one cheat meal won’t ruin your diet or weight loss success. But an entire long weekend of eating Thanksgiving leftovers could certainly put a damper on your goals and leave you working hard to gain back momentum. Make sure that you enjoy smaller amounts of some of the most unhealthy items-stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pie, sweets–and fill the plate with turkey, salad, vegetables and other less calorie laden foods. It’s ok to enjoy the day without guilt and try small amounts of festive foods, while keeping in mind that you have a goal and you want to stick to your plan to reach it. Let the others in your household enjoy leftovers the following days, while you get back on track and on your diet and fitness plan. It can be hard to resist all the leftovers but remember you CAN do it!

Take Care of Yourself

In many different ways, the holidays can be stressful and anxiety-inducing. This year may have its unique challenges and stressors. It is important to remember overall wellness. Get lots of adequate rest, stay on your regular exercise routine and take time to decompress from the stressors of life and the holidays. Finding a good book, taking a relaxing bath or even some light yoga can all help give you the time you need to refresh and feel ready for anything that happens.

Give Thanks

Remembering the reason for the Thanksgiving holiday is of utmost importance-maybe more so this year than ever before. Taking some time for remembrance, gratefulness and thankfulness is good for the soul and the body. This year has been challenging and at times it can be easier to focus on all the things we have lost instead of all that we have. Go around the table with your immediate family or whoever you share dinner with and take turns talking about what you are thankful for this year. You may find that you gained more than you thought you had lost. Finding the silver lining in every cloud is a huge component of staying healthy and whole. The feeling of thankfulness and gratitude can carry you through this entire holiday season and into next year.

We can and will get through this together, and look forward to future holidays when we can all gather together and keep each other safe too. From all of us at SureFiz, we wish you the best and most fulfilling Thanksgiving holiday. May you enjoy every moment and maximize the moments of happiness in the day. Happy Thanksgiving!

Positive News in the Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine

Pharmaceutical Companies show positive findings in the race for a coronavirus vaccine. A look into what this mean for the American people.

Coronavirus Vaccine Update

Positive News in the Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine

Ever since the coronavirus (COVID-19) entered the world last December, lives have been changed. At this point no country is untouched by this pandemic and although there have been better and worse months, we are currently in a surge worldwide. Many have been watching the news and looking for answers in the form of a vaccine. Up until last week there have been mixed results from many pharmaceutical companies. Every time a vaccine looked promising something would happen in the trials to pause further review. But last week we received some positive news that leads us to some cautious optimism.

The United States pharmaceutical company Pfizer partnered with German Biotech company BioNTech to create a vaccine, and they have been working fervently for months. According to a press release from BioNTech on November 18, results of the trial showed 95% efficacy for their vaccine candidate, which was composed of a 43,000 person study. The even better news is that efficacy only drops to 94% in people older than 65, showing that those who tend to be most vulnerable will be able to benefit from this vaccine. The trial resulted in 8 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the control group, versus 162 confirmed cases in the placebo group. Overall they are not noticing any serious side effects emerging, only 3.7% of participants noticed minor fatigue after injections.

Similarly to Pfizer/BioNTech results, Moderna released data on November 16 stating that their vaccine candidate was 94.5% effective against the coronavirus. Moderna’s trial consisted of 30,000 participants, half of whom received the vaccine and the other half a placebo. 90 participants in the placebo group contracted COVID-19 and 11 ended up with serious infections. Among the vaccine group, only 5 contracted COVID-19 and none of the 5 ended up with serious infection. Moderna also reported that there were no serious side effects from the vaccine, with only a small number of participants reporting minor symptoms like headaches or body aches. (source: CNN)

Why the Vaccine is so Promising

Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines offer a new technology that has not been previously used in vaccines. “The vaccines deliver messenger RNA, or mRNA, which is a genetic recipe for making the spikes that sit atop the coronavirus. Once injected, the body’s immune system makes antibodies to the spikes. If a vaccinated person is later exposed to the coronavirus, those antibodies should stand at the ready to attack the virus”(CNN). With both vaccine trials showing such positive data from their results, we can see that the mRNA technology can be very effective in virus protection.

What Does This Mean For Most of America?

According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has stated there is a chance that the vaccine will be ready for dispersal in late December. The CDC is still set to meet to determine how to allocate vaccines to those who need it most first. Healthcare and front line workers, as well as the most vulnerable and immunocompromised individuals will likely be the first to receive either vaccine, once it has FDA approval for distribution. There are also some differences with the two vaccines that could pose some challenges with making it readily available throughout the entire country. When Pfizer/BioNTech announced their findings earlier in the week they also explained that the vaccine needs to be stored at below 75 degrees celsius, which is colder than any other vaccine. Most drug stores and hospitals/doctors offices don’t have freezers with the capacity to get this cold. Although some larger cities and larger organizations may be able to obtain new freezers by the time the vaccine is available, it is likely that not every suburban or rural area will have the capacity to store this vaccine. On the other hand, Moderna’s vaccine only needs to be stored at below 20 degrees celsius and other vaccines are the same, making this version of the vaccine more accessible to a wider market.

There is no confirmed word yet for when a vaccine from either manufacturer will be available to the widespread population in the United States, but some sources have said it could be this coming Spring. In the meantime, continue practicing safe protocols- like social distancing, wearing masks in public, minimizing group gatherings, washing hands regularly and keeping your body healthy from the inside out. Patience is important in these trying times of pandemic fatigue and with the holidays upon us. As always, we remember how strong and capable we are to get through hard times together.