Too Fast Too Soon
Mentally Leaving the Pandemic
There have been five hundred and fifty thousand deaths from COVID-19 in the United States and 2.81 million worldwide, according to the (New York Times March 31, 2021). When we address the issues, let us remember that it is global disease and the measures taken by governments in many countries have largely been to prevent more deaths.
There is a mental fatigue from the pandemic, affecting overall health. It is from staying indoors and not seeing friends or family no matter where you live or what country you are in. There is also the loss of work and income, and the impact on long-term financial stability while trying to pay one’s current bills.
We should also remember that the younger generation facing social issues and the difficulty of hanging out with friends. Now we have family or at home schooling. To be at home with one’s parents and siblings must be frustrating at times, and our youth, like some adults, are not able to hold part-time jobs.
What do we do?
COVID-19 has not gone anywhere. If we compare this pandemic to the Spanish Flu from 1918–1920, we see that the number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide with about 675,000 occurring in the United States (from CDC.org). We understand the gravity of the pandemic, but can we afford mentally, physically, and financially to remain in the pandemic mindset?
If we look at the recent Spring Break in Miami, it’s been hard for young people. The parties, the drinking, and the having fun are things we all miss. Yes, there is also the destruction, fights, and recklessness that we cannot condone nor can we overlook the transmission of the virus it may have caused. YouTube Video Should we have totally canceled Spring Break and closed our bars and restaurants?
Let’s go back to the debate on mental health and leaving the pandemic. There is a physical leaving and a mental staying in place. Traveling, vacations, getting out with people and going to our usual places help maintain our mental health. It is also about the planning and the anticipation. If we take that away, then mentally we lock ourselves indoors.
As we ponder the situation in America, we are seeing a rise in COVID Cases. Some European countries are already looking at their fourth wave and we are seeing the lockdowns begin. Let’s not forget the direct impact of the disease — the rampant death — but also what has been done to us on global level both mentally and physically.
By Dane Flanigan
ultraHealth Agency
www.ultraHealthAgency.com
