2020 has offered the world some extreme challenges. In America, we are divided like never before in a Democrat vs. Republican election year. That is tiring on its own with all the media hype, the Russian trolls invading our social media and families divided by political rhetoric. There have been several natural disasters, including floods, fires and tornadoes. We have experienced a racial awakening in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder that took place in my home state, very close to home. With all of this, I find most daunting the fatigue that entered society along with the Covid-19 virus.
I’m not talking about the actual, physical symptoms and lingering effects that come with contracting the virus. I’m talking about the extreme fatigue that comes with being ever vigilant against this lurking threat. It seems there can be no spontaneity anymore unless you are willing to risk your own health or someone else’s illness.
Before leaving home, you must make sure to have a mask and check to see if your destination will be open and receiving visitors. When you get there, you must run through a long list of Dos and Don’ts. Do wear your mask and stay 6 feet away from anyone. Don’t touch your mask or anything around you. Do wash your hands thoroughly, but don’t use the air dryer in public restrooms-they spread germs. Do use hand sanitizer, but don’t use the kind that can hurt you. Do stay connected to people, but don’t hug or kiss them, don’t laugh too much or sing into someone else’s zip stream, (the air that lingers after you move – it has germs in it). This is just to manage your grocery shopping or a trip to the gas station.
For those who are still going to work in person, there are many more concerns than just the morning alarm, commute and what to eat for lunch. Now you must check yourself for symptoms every day and attest to being healthy, then submit to a temperature check. There are more rules and regulations to follow and that can increase the workload, just when we long for a rest.
If you are working from home, you are faced with distractions that are not present in the workplace. You must be engaged and productive even when the dogs are barking and the kids are fighting. Your home is exposed to others in ways it has never been before.
School kids, teachers and school support workers have strict protocol to follow each day before they can even begin to get to the real business of learning. Masks, distancing and electronic instruction are foreign and there is no historical data to support the new teaching model, leaving teachers tired and discouraged. Parents are confused and overworked and want a break from long days with children who are stressed.
We should save money in case there is a recession. We should spend money so there is no recession. We have to watch the curve, keep track of the numbers, make sure our elders are safe. We must feed the hungry and help our neighbors who have lost their jobs. We are fending off depression and domestic violence against people and animals. We struggle to learn new ways to communicate through video calls, social media, emails and text. We guard against gaining weight and feel guilt about the plastic and packing that comes with mail order delivery. There are so many things to think about and remember.
We’re tired, and we’re not sick yet.
