As coronavirus cases begin to rise once again across the country, many officials are beginning to ask: How long can we keep this up?
Pandemic fatigue is real, and it’s hitting people hard. Many are tired of the restrictions, the isolation, and the economic anxiety that has accompanied this pandemic. And it’s hard to blame them. Thousands of people are facing new pay cuts, families are being asked to cancel their holiday plans, and all the while, health officials are warning that there’s no real end in sight.
Several recent polls prove that the public is willing and able to obey certain restrictions, as long as they apply specifically to individuals. For example, 91% of respondents said in a Sept. 27 poll that they had worn a mask. But when the rules are applied to social gatherings, people in the United States begin to break down. In May, the number of people who said they avoided small gatherings was 71%. Now, that number is down to 45%.
So, what’s the solution?
There isn’t one — at least, not yet.
We’re still months, possibly even years, away from a vaccine, and several states are beginning to tighten restrictions as we approach the colder months. This approach might flatten the curve, but it won’t solve the other problems people are facing: Depression has spiked three times higher than normal throughout the pandemic; at least 40% reported problems with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse in late June; and unemployment remains stagnant despite states’ partial reopening.
At this point, it’s just a question of which public health crisis officials should prioritize. As for the rest of us, we should expect to live according to our new normal for a long while yet.
