Coronavirus fatigue setting in, officials warn ‘get your game face back on’

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)— It’s been 250 days since the World Health Organization declared an outbreak from the pandemic, 243 days since President Donald Trump declared a national emergency, and 233 days since Rhode Island First went on lockdown.

If you ask most people if they’re tired of the virus, the answer remains the same.

“It is frustrating and tends to be a little depressing,” Gabriel Wehjla of Providence said.

“Tired. A lot of them are fed up,” Joseph Fonatine of Providence said. “Being a retired firefighter, there’s nothing worse than trying to help people and no one is trying to help you.”

While much of the nation is tired, the virus remains relentless. As coronavirus cases continue to rise in Rhode Island, doctors are worried that people’s attention is diminishing and many are experiencing what they call ‘coronavirus fatigue’.

Rhode Island Department of Health Medical Director, Dr. James McDonald, says this time around, the spike is difficult to slow down.

“If we aren’t willing to live differently during the pandemic, we’re just going to keep perpetuating it,” Dr. McDonald said. “Rhode Island, right now, it’s getting worse.”

Across the state, positive cases and hospitalizations are rising at an alarming rate. Data shows last week, daily positive cases neared 1,000, setting new record highs two days in a row.

Officials are beginning to prep the Cranston field hospital, schools are temporarily moving to remote learning, and the municipal court shut its doors. It seems the state is going backwards and Dr. McDonald says it’s no wonder people are tired.

“Part of what we need to get back to is what Yoda says, ‘do or do not, there is no try.’ I think for those people who are tired, take a nap, do whatever you need to do to work up again, but you’ve got to get your game face back on,” Dr. McDonald said. “When it comes to preventing yourself from getting infected from a virus you can’t see, try isn’t good enough.”