Like many of you, I am so sick of SARS-COVID and its minion variants! I want it all gone and for life to resume pre virus. I want to enjoy the holidays with all the events that make it a special time of the year. And then I read the story about the Wisconsin wedding and wanted to scream! It brought me back to reality and the reality of COVID fatigue.

Here is the story: A group of medical and public health professionals attended a wedding and were super cautious adhering to all protocols for COVID. One attendee was even an epidemiologist! Around 100 guests were invited, all masked in the church but they were unmasked eating and drinking at the reception. People were responsible. They were tested in advance, had their vaccines and boosters.

In the end, 12 people from California, all vaccinated and between the ages of 18-46,  still ended up with coronavirus and brought the infection home to loved ones. Some of those infection are confirmed to have the Omicron variant. All of those who got sick travelled as well. Even the bride and groom tested positive and had to quarantine. But here is the quote that stood out and really caught my eye!

We have COVID fatigue but the virus does not!  

Yes, we do! We have COVID fatigue! People did the right thing and still got the virus! At least the people who got sick were vaccinated and only had mild symptoms. That is encouraging. But the spread is of concern, as there are still many unvaccinated people.

Some of my family recently got sick as well and had to cancel the Thanksgiving family get together. Fortunately, they were vaccinated and their break-out cases made them sick, but not enough to be hospitalized. And they recovered in a matter of days. So while we are all tired of this, we have to remain vigilant in terms of our response to COVID. We need to stay in reality instead of throwing up our hands and saying, “I’m done, forget it.” I know this is tempting to do as I have had those feelings multiple times. We make  progress and then things change again.

I have to focus less on what I want this time to be, a throw back to the past way of celebrating. Instead, we plan with the COVID reality in mind.

For some help to make decisions during the holiday, I like this article by an epidemiologist I follow. She is sound in her approach and her information is accurate. Obviously, risks are still present. We are figuring this out as we go and it is taking time. Mental health is being affected due to all the stress and sickness.

But we can’t give in to helplessness and hopelessness. Stay in the game and do your best. Pay attention to your mental health. Fight the COVID fatigue and pray for this thing to be eradicated.