Bladen County Health and Human Services Agency released the latest COVID-19 update. Bladen County is up to 914 positive COVID-19 cases. Daily reminders of the Pandemic may cause some people to suffer from “COVID Fatigue”.
COVID Fatigue is defined as compounded stress and exhaustion from worrying about the COVID-19 (coronavirus).
The following are the four main areas of COVID Fatigue and some coping mechanisms for each one given by UW Health.
- Change fatigue and uncertainty burnout
- Radical acceptance that life will continue to be difficult for a while.
- Find the silver lining.
- Look for activities new and old that continue to fulfill you.
- Depleted surge capacity.
- “Take 5” mindfulness practice to recharge.
- Expect less from yourself – cut yourself some slack and give yourself some grace.
- Zoom burnout
- 20-20-20 rule (For every 20 minutes you are looking at a screen, look away from the screen and focus on a spot 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
- Consider getting blue light blocking glasses.
- Use transitions well (getting up and walking for two minutes every hour can help reverse the negative health effects from prolonged sitting. Also consider other formats for meetings, such as a telephone call or shorter meeting where you do some of the work by e-mail).
- Choose to move: Make physical activity a priority.
- “Doom scrolling,” or staying glued to electronic devices to find out information on the disasters and stressors that face our country.
- Limit how much social media you are exposed to.
- Be mindful of the type of news you are consuming.
Mr. John Bigger, Corporate Director of Behavioral Health at Cape Fear Valley Health, recently participated in an interview about COVID Fatigue. Bigger explained, “People are sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
Bigger discussed switching from surviving to persevering during the COVID-19 Pandemic. “We are six months into this and people are worn out,” Bigger stated.
Bigger gave some tips to help deal with the stress of the Pandemic.
- Children are resilient. However, adults need to watch them and provide them with the social and academic support they need. Playing games on zoom.
- Practice prevention efforts. Wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hands.
- Identify weak spots. Being too relaxed around people you know well, may lead to possible spreading of the virus.
Cape Fear Valley Health offers coronavirus resources to and testing sites.
For COVID-19 testing, contact one of the agencies below.
CommWell Health (1-910-567-7114 or 1-877-WELL-ALL (935-5255) continues to test in Tar Heel, Monday-Friday, times vary.
Robeson Health Care Corporation is testing at the St. Pauls site (910-241-30420), times vary.
Cape Fear Valley-Bladen Clinics and Express Care offer testing (Bladenboro, Clarkton, Dublin Elizabethtown and White Lake) for anyone exhibiting symptoms or those in high risk groups without symptoms, after a visit with the provider on duty. Contact the clinic located in your area for further information:
Bladenboro 910-863-3138
Clarkton 910-862-1217
Dublin 910-862-3528
Elizabethtown 910-862-5500
White Lake 910-862-1265
Express Care 910-862-2122
In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, the CDC added symptoms for the coronavirus: chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and a new loss of taste.
Dr. Duncan, confirmed Bladen County may receive a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines for the at-risk population in November for the high-risk population. High-risk population members are older adults and health care workers. A larger amount of the vaccines may be delivered in the spring of 2021.
View the video interview:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=358667815502424
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