As the pandemic drags on, following COVID-19 prevention guidelines can feel like more and more of a challenge.
This kind of fatigue is not unique to pandemic precautions. With all kinds of health-related behavior changes – including increasing physical activity, eating healthy and decreasing tobacco use – at least half of people relapse within six months.
Think back to the start of April. Much of the U.S. was under stay-at-home orders.
Coronavirus fears had people either ordering necessities for delivery or rushing through stores, avoiding everyone. When they got home, shoppers wiped down their groceries, vigorously washed hands and maybe even took a shower. People got used to staying home.
Today, there’s still no cure or vaccine, and infection numbers are on the rise. Now is the time to strengthen your resolve and re-devote yourself to prevention measures.
But fewer in the U.S. are reporting the fear that triggered all those germ-avoiding actions in the spring. Why?
People [are] lulled into believing they’re less susceptible.
There are several psychological reasons for why fatigue sets in. One explanation for falling off the prevention bandwagon comes down to two predictors of health behaviors.
• Perceived susceptibility – how likely do you think you are to get a disease?
• Perceived severity – if you do get it, how bad do you think it will it be?
There have been millions of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. But all those people still add up to less than 3% of the population. Depending where you live, you may know only a few people who have had COVID-19. This can reduce perceived susceptibility.
As doctors learned more about treatment methods, the death rate has dropped. In May, 6% of diagnosed cases proved fatal, while less than 3% are today.
People look at the trends and let themselves be lulled into believing they’re less susceptible or that the disease’s severity isn’t that bad. One might reason, it’s been eight months and I haven’t gotten sick.
While social norms can be communicated in many ways, one of the main paths is through observational learning.
When state governments decide to open bars, restaurants, gyms and movie theaters, you might read it as a signal that these places are now “safe” to visit. Likewise, when you see people socializing without masks and skipping the physical distancing, it looks “normal” and could make you more likely to forgo them yourself.
Distancing efforts have increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness for many people. And that isolation can lead to a variety of poor health outcomes. People were able to avoid get-togethers in the spring. But it can be really hard to stick long-term with a behavior that can feel like it’s all downside and no upside.
The trick is to balance physical distancing with social connectedness. Researchers know that reminiscing or having nostalgia about drinking or smoking is one of the major risk factors for relapse.
A drink after work with a group of friends, a game of pickup basketball or a live concert are things people miss – and it’s hard not to dwell on the things you’re not getting to do. But thinking about them can encourage you to engage in risky behaviors.
Case counts are rising. People need to double down on a level of precaution while not adding to their social isolation.
Some recommendations must be strictly followed. Hand-washing increased dramatically after the start of the pandemic. Hopefully, this will remain high.
Masks are also important to help limit the number of new cases.
That leaves physical distancing, which is probably the most difficult. Public health experts often advocate a harm-reduction approach for behaviors where abstinence is not feasible. It’s a way to minimize risk. Crowds and large gatherings still need to be avoided. If video chats have grown stale, hosting your own small get-togethers is a possibility. Be aware, though, that socializing in a group comes with risks.
Pandemic fatigue is real. Understanding it better might help you strengthen your resolve.
Jay Maddock is a professor of public health at Texas A&M University. Distributed by The Associated Press.
