March 13, 2020, was the day schools across Indiana closed down due to what was then commonly called “coronavirus.”

People were told that this shutdown was only going to last two weeks — remember Vice President Mike Pence and his 14 days to stop the spread campaign — but the length of the shutdown kept expanding. After seven months of having strict mandates and quarantines, people can start to go through pandemic fatigue. This is when people start to tune out new mandates, and don’t take as much care of themselves. This can lead to a sense of burnout and can have a mental toll on many people. This is common in teens and young adults, who are at the point in life where social interaction is important.

Before this year, people wouldn’t wear masks, frequently wash their hands, or worry about germs being spread. It is understandable why people may feel some sense of burnout. Luckily, there are ways for people to avoid and deal with pandemic fatigue.

One of the ways to cope with the pandemic is to make precautions a habit. People need to decide to make things a habit. People need to decide that they will do these precautions to keep themselves and others safe. After time, things like wearing a mask and staying away from others will be out of habit, and they won’t have to be thought about. 

People also need to keep solid and reliable resources for information about the virus. New information is released constantly, and people need to make sure all of their sources are credible and reliable. This could help people understand what is going on and not get as overwhelmed from information. 

People also need to have supplies necessary for protecting themselves and others. Having multiple masks and hand sanitizers will help prevent people from having to go look for them constantly. 

The CDC has different recommendations for dealing with stress during the pandemic. They recommend knowing what to do if you get sick, where to go, and how to get treatment. They recommend going to professional medical help before taking anything regarding covid into your own hands.

Limiting the amount of news you watch is helpful. As mentioned before, new information and rumors are being spread quickly. It is important to make sure that information you see is true and isn’t a rumor.

Taking care of your body is important. People may forget to take care of themselves during this time. Exercising, eating a well balanced diet, and getting enough sleep is important during this time. Doing activities you enjoy or learning something new can help you unwind and take a break. While taking a break is important, remember to try to connect with others during this time.