Are you experiencing “Expat Pandemic Fatigue”?

[ASEAN NOW News]

In recent weeks, many countries have been reporting an increase in “pandemic fatigue” – people are feeling demotivated about following recommended behaviours to protect themselves and others from the virus.

 

Finding effective ways to tackle this fatigue and reinvigorate public vigilance is a growing challenge as the crisis continues.

 

Pandemic fatigue evolves gradually over time and is affected by the cultural, social, structural, and legislative environment.

 

Expat Fatigue

 

Here in SE Asia, when the pandemic began last year, luckily most countries were reporting very low number of cases.

 

However, as expats we often have to rely on word of mouth, to get accurate information, as most Covid details are mainly posted in the local language.

 

Now as the number of cases has skyrocketed, governments across the region have realized the importance of keeping us expats well informed with English language information.

 

The penny has a last drop that Covid cannot tell the difference between a local or an expat, as we can all carry the virus.

 

Defineitly an Expat (file photo)

 

Meanwhile being thousands of miles from home, can add to an expat’s anxiety although everyone stuck at home goes through some sort of Pandemic Fatigue.

 

Online WHO Meeting Held

High-level public health experts from over 30 countries and many partner organizations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) European region, recently connected remotely to search together the root causes of this phenomenon and share national experiences and plans. 

 

At the request of European Member States, WHO/Europe developed a framework of policy recommendations to guide governments in the planning and implementation of national and subnational strategies to bolster public support for COVID-19 prevention measures.

 

Governments need key strategies

 

Katrine Bach Habersaat, Team Lead (ad interim) of the Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit at WHO/Europe, introduced the framework developed by WHO/Europe to address pandemic fatigue.

 

It includes 4 key strategies:

 

·         Understand people: collect and use evidence for targeted, tailored, and effective policies, interventions, and communication.

·         Engage people as part of the solution.

·         Help people to reduce risk while doing the things that make them happy.

·         Acknowledge and address the hardship people experience, and the profound impact the pandemic has had on their lives.

 

WHO/Europe has suggested a quick list of concrete actions, with examples from countries of what they have done.

More work will need to be carried out, with opportunities for regular exchanges of views among WHO and Member States. 

 

Understanding pandemic fatigue

 

Professor Cornelia Betsch, Heisenberg-Professor of Health Communication at Erfurt University, Germany, spoke of the psychology behind pandemic fatigue, explaining that fear is a motivator for protective behaviour, but it wears off as people adapt to the threat.

 

Fatigue also occurs if we do the same things repeatedly for a long time, she added.

 

WHO defines pandemic fatigue as a natural and expected reaction to sustained and unresolved adversity in people’s lives.

 

It expresses itself as demotivation to engage in protective behaviours and to seek out information, as well as in feelings of complacency, alienation, and hopelessness.

 

Pandemic fatigue evolves gradually over time and is affected by the cultural, social, structural, and legislative environment.

 

Therefore, monitoring public opinion, through tools such as the one developed by WHO/Europe and now used by 27 countries and areas in the Region, is an important starting point for effective behavioural change.

 

Sharing country experiences

 

Many country representatives took the floor at the meeting to share examples of action taken in their countries to ensure public engagement in COVID-19-related measures.

 

Common themes included making sure that these initiatives were understandable and logical, the importance of supporting livelihoods and jobs, targeting measures to specific groups, and considering other barriers beyond knowledge that prevent people from following recommendations (such as lack of access to safe water, hand sanitizer, masks, spacious living conditions, and so on).

 

Several participants also highlighted how supporting mental health initiatives is essential as the pandemic continues.

 

Next steps

 

There was broad agreement among participants that further discussion on the topic of pandemic fatigue is needed through a regular forum. WHO/Europe also proposed creating a repository for country experiences.

 

At the end of the meeting, the Norwegian concept of “dugnad” was invoked – support provided by individuals to help each other or a community – a form of group resilience to be nurtured in the months ahead.

 

Using behavioural and cultural science to advance health

 

Behavioural and cultural insights for health refers to knowledge derived from the social sciences and health humanities that helps us to better understand the drivers of and barriers to achieving the highest attainable standard of health.

 

The newly approved European Programme of Work 2020–2025 has a strong focus on harnessing behavioural and cultural insights, and a new unit was recently established at WHO/Europe to improve knowledge in this field.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
 

Meanwhile as cases rise, and Health Ministries scramble to bargain for new vaccines, all we can do is vent our frustration at our local governments, many who seem to be seen as mis-managing the Covid crisis and also the country’s economy.

 

 

Many expats are over 60 years old, and therefore the state of their own economy adds to the stress.

 

All we can do is sit tight and hope that vaccines will soon be available over the counter to everyone.

Then the cases will start to drop along with everyone’s Pandemic Fatigue.

 

We would be keen to know how you are coping too.

 

 

[HeijoshinCool]

.

Suddenly felt exhausted after just the first few paragraphs.....

 

Time for another pot of coffee.

[4MyEgo]

Having scrolled through the Encyclopaedia post, it is just another one of life's adjustments, I just hope I'm alive till the bars open again, so thirsty and horny ????

 

[Will B Good]

I do acknowledge the terrible impact this has had on many Thais, but I have to say I am 'enjoying' the side effects of the pandemic.

 

Most places are pretty empty, it is easy to travel and there are no tourists. 

[Leveraged]

The only fatigue I have is from covid news and the part of the population thats obsessed with covid and feels the need to shame people or celebrate when people die. 

[bigdod]

It's a wee bit wordy, but I did try to read it and was doing quite well - until the first mention of the W.H.O. 

 

I do agree that there's a certain amount of fatigue about the whole subject, but I'd say that it's got more to do with the incessant misinformation than anything else.

[CharlieH]

Posts of no value/trolling nature along with responses to same have been removed.

[steven100]

fatigue started after I saw how long the story was.   Then I got another beer ....   and lost interest 

[Antonymous]

3 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

All we can do is sit tight and hope that vaccines will soon be available over the counter to everyone.

Then the cases will start to drop along with everyone’s Pandemic Fatigue.

Who writes this guff?

 

The closing comments are the sort a child writer might make.

[G Rex]

This post was a ripping tome - thanks - it helps to relieve the boredom of quasi lockdown 

Yes - I am tired of travel restrictions, entertainment restrictions etc. However as WBG mentioned - local travel is a breeze right now.

Above all , I am happy to be in Thailand now, rather than in Australia - where they are forced to endure highly policed lockdown after lockdown for a handful of cases. Politicians & the media have turned the populace into a quivering basket case.

Covid 19 restrictions have certainly altered what I thought my retirement would be - but the long term benefit is that personally I have learned to relax more, and I have rediscovered sleep ????!!!

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

I felt the fatigue in the middle of this endless article.

 

[steven100]

1 minute ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

I felt the fatigue in the middle of this endless article.

 

right  ... it just goes on and on with nonsense ..... 

[impulse]

I think Pandemic Fatigue is a reasonable topic to discuss, whether Expat or otherwise.

 

I just don't think it was teed up very well in the OP.

 

[mfd101]

I seem to have lost interest in constantly scrolling through endless threads on AN.

 

This happened after my first Pfizer jab last Thursday. With 2nd jab coming up in 2.5 weeks and jabs gradually spreading thru the lesser provinces such as mine, there doesn't seem much point any more.

[connda]

4 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

We would be keen to know how you are coping too.

I don't worry about it.  Being able to separate facts from propaganda is a good skill-set to cultivate.  Have the ability to both read and understand scientific literature allows you the flexibility to discern between the two. 
And if you have a TV either turn it off, or better still, throw it out the window. True journalism - The Fourth Estate - died a couple of decades ago.  Governments and capitalist corporations are notorious liars as power and wealth cannot be amassed by wielding truth and transparency.
Disassociate from the hive mind.  It doesn't make you popular but it does build character in the face of human created adversity.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  Know your red lines.

And take a walk by yourself in a natural setting and enjoy the fresh air as well as the sights and sounds of nature which is still, in this age of growing deceit, a true marvel of God.
 

[BangkokReady]

Quote

Are you experiencing “Expat Pandemic Fatigue”?

God yes.  Expats are a pandemic and I'm severely fatigued by them!  ????????

[steven100]

9 hours ago, mfd101 said:

I seem to have lost interest in constantly scrolling through endless threads on AN.

 

This happened after my first Pfizer jab last Thursday. With 2nd jab coming up in 2.5 weeks and jabs gradually spreading thru the lesser provinces such as mine, there doesn't seem much point any more.

don't give up yet ,   stay focused even if it's for your family ...  they need you at this time. Get a beer and watch the sun rise or watch sunset.    You've just gotta hang in there   !

[kingstonkid]

17 hours ago, impulse said:

I think Pandemic Fatigue is a reasonable topic to discuss, whether Expat or otherwise.

 

I just don't think it was teed up very well in the OP.

 

There is a definite fatigue or boredom issue.  

 

Having no where to go or not being able to do anything is a royal pain in  the ass.  At least they have reopened the malls.

[wwest5829]

Do keep in mind that Americans, at least, are known to have short attention spans. Thus, “fatigue” from thinking starts setting in after about 15 minutes. Ha! Now try teaching Western Civ. To 18 year old Americans … you will learn patience or seek another line of work … IMHE (experience of 41 years).

[HappyExpat57]

I've previously posted the best description of this situation is we feel like we are languishing:

languishing

/ˈlaNGɡwiSHiNG/

adjective

failing to make progress or be successful.

These simple things can help to cope:

 

[onekoolguy]

I keep thinking, just a little bit longer and it will be over? Can travel again, eat in restaurants, have friends come to Thailand to visit etc. But after 18 months of dealing with ever changing restrictions I need a break! I am going to return to the USA for a couple of months and come back when the conditions are better? At some point it is just not fun here anymore. 

[spidermike007]

Absolutely. Need to get out of here in a major way. Same same. Way too much craziness and Zombie Apocalypse nonsense. 

 

Gonna take a break. Need to take a break. Change is healthy, and without frequent trips overseas, I never would have made it this long here. 

 

[traveller101]

Agreed - as long as your destination is not the Purgatory of peak craziness and Zombie apocalypse on steroids ruled by Panic Merchants with an iron fist. Worse than Thailand to but it mildly. Australia, the Hermit Kingdom.

[steven100]

22 hours ago, mfd101 said:

I seem to have lost interest in constantly scrolling through endless threads on AN.

 

This happened after my first Pfizer jab last Thursday. With 2nd jab coming up in 2.5 weeks and jabs gradually spreading thru the lesser provinces such as mine, there doesn't seem much point any more.

please .... don't get down.  Everyone needs you now ....  it will be ok

[mfd101]

To be blunt, the pandemic doesn't make much difference to me. My b/f and I haven't been out of Surin or south Buriram (Ban Kruat lake) for approaching 2 years. Last time we were in BKK was Nov 2019.

 

But I travel the world every day in my mind. I sit here in my library and I read and think and write. Every day.

 

And every day my b/f, who has never done any of those things, goes to the family farm and manages his large family and builds houses for them. We're currently on the 3rd house for one sister & her kids - a solid steel construction entirely designed by my boy who is functionally illiterate & uneducated. But he is strong & determined, not a mouse like the rest of his family. House no.1 was built in 2013 for his Mum. House no.2 was built a couple of years ago for another sister & her husband & boy.

 

Life is good. We live inside our heads and in relation to the people we love. We look forward to traveling again when we can. We were planning a trip to Taiwan with friends from Melbourne when covid got in the way. Will we ever get to Taiwan? Perhaps not, if Xi Jin Ping has his way. But we're certainly hoping to get to BKK next year. Will be interesting to see what has survived of our favourite haunts around Asoke and Terminal 21.

 

This probably sounds silly to many of you, but every day I say thank you to God for bringing me love so late in my life, and I pray that he will look after my boy and all his family now and when I'm gone.

[MrJ2U]

Who hasn't felt the fatigue?

 

Luckily I'm not stuck alone in a little studio apartment like some people.

 

Big house with our kids has helped out.  Never a dole moment!

 

I miss the seaside most!

 

I wondered what the "new" opening up will bring?

 

Some places have been shut for so long I can't see much things changing. 

 

Patong looks like something out of a zombie movie.  It'll be years before it gets going.

 

Part's of Pattaya are lively while Soi 7 and 8 are pretty desimated.

 

Interesting times for sure.

 

 

[hotchilli]

On 8/29/2021 at 5:28 PM, ASEAN NOW News said:

Meanwhile being thousands of miles from home, can add to an expat’s anxiety although everyone stuck at home goes through some sort of Pandemic Fatigue.

Not so....

One thing... as an Expat

I'm not thousands of miles away from home, I was born in the UK,

My HOME is in Thailand where I live, so I don't feel homesick.

As for fatigue that's an individuals state of mind, if you are "the glass is half empty type then you will feel down, if you are a half full type of person" then you're a survivor?

I've stayed positive, safe and always keep healthy just like normal life before Covid,

Covid has not changed my lifestyle or my daily regime.

I've not panicked about vaccines being initially only available in Bangkok, I bide my time and got an AZ shot in my own province, next one in October.

A positive mindset is a positive solution... 

 

 

[starky]

On 8/29/2021 at 10:02 PM, Antonymous said:

Who writes this guff?

 

The closing comments are the sort a child writer might make.

Rooster? ???????????????? The word count is certainly on par, as is the general writing ability.

[pixelaoffy]

When is the ASQ solitary confinement at travellers cost in pre arranged hotels going to end? Its madness and surely why cant we give an address to stay like other countries do? High season is going to be dead for another year ..

[thaibeachlovers]

On 8/30/2021 at 1:24 AM, Leveraged said:

The only fatigue I have is from covid news and the part of the population thats obsessed with covid and feels the need to shame people or celebrate when people die. 

In NZ we have escaped most of the trials and tribulations up till 2 weeks ago, with basically only one long lockdown at the start of last year. After that life was normal for most, except not being able to leave the country.

However I too am suffering pandemic fatigue for the same reasons as yourself. Get soooo bored every time somebody comes on the radio to talk about it. I don't even dare watch tv as apparently covid's all over it.

I've even had to switch to a music only station to get away from it, but even then the hourly news intrudes.

It must be diabolical for those in a country that has a real problem with it. You have my sympathy.