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Almost the entire population of the world has heard it, the message that Anders Tegnell and his counterparts in other countries have transmitted on a daily basis:
“Wash your hands often, stay away from others, don’t go to work if you are sick.”
It’s no wonder that many people are tired of hearing the same thing day after day. At the same time, they can lose jobs and income, and in some cases, they may not even be able to walk out the door.
The World Health Organization WHO now warns that a wave of “pandemic fatigue”, fatigue or even exhaustion, is sweeping the world.
It can be compared to a collective depression that manifests itself in feelings of complacency, apathy, hopelessness. In Europe, this applies to varying degrees to more than half of the citizens, in some countries 60 percent, according to the WHO.
In addition to the psychological pressure this puts on millions of people, “covid depletion” can also have direct consequences on the actual spread of the infection. There are many indications that fewer and fewer people are following the recommendations and requirements of authorities to limit infection.
Live with risk it is in itself exhausting. Some people cope with it for the long term by not taking risk so seriously and adapting their behavior accordingly.
The Yougov opinion institute has asked the same questions about personal behavior in April and October this year, in 24 different countries from Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to Sweden and the US.
It turns out that the proportion who follow simple tips like washing hands and avoiding crowds declines in all countries surveyed. The only exception is the use of face masks that is increasing everywhere, which is largely due to the fact that in most places it has become mandatory.
For politicians The fatigue of people in the pandemic is another factor to consider now that a second wave has hit many countries hard.
In Europe, various countries and regions have reverted to various forms of closure in recent days and weeks. This applies, for example, to Belgium, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and Wales. Elsewhere, there are local closures.
But strict rules are reluctantly introduced. Partly because they cost a lot in reduced economic activity. But also because it is feared that a large proportion of citizens do not intend to follow the rules anyway.
Of course there are protests against restrictions in some countries. But they are not large and are often dominated by groups on the political fringe.
Worse, from the point of view of those in power, is the fatigue of ordinary people from the entire pandemic, including the rules.
In Greece, this week, the government suspended a planned tightening of covid restrictions, with the explicit justification that they would not yet take effect.
– Constantly tormenting the population with new rules instead of making sure they follow the rules that apply, can have the opposite effect, said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
But then the spread increased, he is now likely to be forced to back down and even toughen the rules, illustrating the dilemma facing politicians across Europe.
A problem in several countries is that the rules have been changed so many times, both nationally and in individual regions, that hardly anyone knows what applies anymore.
Exactly how long can restaurants stay open and how long do you have to sit? With how many strangers did each household now have to socialize with? And what really applies to gyms, nail salons, cinemas, museums?
Maybe completely different regulations than last week, and depending on where you live in the country.
In Great Britain The regionalization of the pandemic’s rules is particularly pronounced, with much of northern England blocked off, as is Wales and Northern Ireland, while other parts of the country have mild restrictions.
Here, even the experts don’t know the rules.
– People are very confused. Personally, I can’t put my hand on my heart and say what applies, psychology professor Robert West tells the New York Times. It is part of Sage, a scientific body that advises the British government on how to deal with the pandemic.
Read more:
Record number of new corona cases in 21 European countries
Ingmar Nevéus: That’s why European leaders don’t dare to close again
