Following protocols more important than ever as we combat COVID-fatigue

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Though the days of toilet paper shortages and sourdough starters may be long gone for most Canadians, the coronavirus pandemic is more of a threat than ever before.

Cases in Alberta have reached embarrassing heights, especially considering the relative size of our population. The surge in active cases has been primarily traced to social gatherings—a far cry from the days of lockdown last spring.

The word ‘unprecedented’ has been used many times to describe the pandemic, but it is true. We have never collectively experienced a time like this one.

We are currently in a phase some experts have called “COVID fatigue.” The threat of illness for ourselves and our families, and the subsequent stress and anxiety, was enough for the majority of us to follow the mandates set out for us by our governments. Now, the threat feels less imminent to many, despite active cases being higher than ever, and the provincial government declaring a state of emergency.


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When it comes to locking down, what was previously a collective sense of relief has turned into a feeling of frustration.

As Canadians entered their sixth month of thepandemic, an August 2020poll by the Angus Reid Institute found that one in five Canadians were making little to no effort to stop coronavirus spread.

How can we protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our country from the coronavirus while balancing the need to care for our mental health?

It can be difficult to follow strict protocols, particularly limiting our social behaviour for such an extended period, when there seems to be no end in sight.

However, with vaccines on the horizon, there is an end in sight, albeit a year or so in the future. With a return to “normal” in mind, it is that much more important to stick to protocol and continue limiting our in-person social interactions as we work to keep each other safe.

Alberta is currently the only province in the country without a provincial mask mandate, though some cities including Edmonton and Calgary have enacted their own. Without one, critics, including NDP leader Rachel Notley, have expressed concern that Albertans will remain at risk of contracting COVID-19, which would do more damage to the economy.

The science is clear: masks limit the spread of COVID-19. Many Albertans are increasingly expressing their frustration with mask mandates, suggesting it is an infringement upon their rights and freedoms.


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Mask mandates serve to prevent the need for further shutdowns and stricter protocols. Your right to live a mask-free life ends when it puts others’ lives at risk. Doctors, nurses, dentists, and several other professionals manage to wear masks for the majority of their workdays without complaint. The discomfort you may feel is temporary, the loss of life is permanent and profound.

By continuing to follow the guidelines set out by health experts, we work to protect each other. We must push through the frustration and fatigue.

The mental fatigue we feel is natural, though. Our brains are simply not wired to handle an ongoing threat for such a lengthy time. The above is not meant to negate the reality that the pandemic has also been devastating for our economy, our collective mental health, and various other facets of our lives.

The realities of the pandemic require a shift in our mindsets, a return to the generosity and community care we saw at the beginning of the pandemic. This is far easier said than done, but we must remember that each of our individual actions will determine the severity of the pandemic and its broader effects on our communities.

I watch my roommate and friend, an ICU nurse, struggle with the burden of care the healthcare system is facing, as she experiences burnout and anxiety for her own health. I watch my mother and sister work tirelessly in their roles as teachers to ensure their students are safe, happy, and healthy despite the many obstacles in their way. I worry for my friends who have lost their jobs and those who face a grim job market upon completing 4+ years of post-secondary education. I have been working from home, struggling with feelings of isolation. I have not been able to visit my grandma in 10 months, see my extended family, or visit my friends.

I express my frustration knowing it in no way compares to the grief so many families are experiencing. The numbers and not just numbers, they are real people who have lost their lives.

We are tired, but we are resilient.

I am hopeful that with a vaccine on the horizon, we can refocus our efforts and work together to combat the virus. We have all made–and must continue to make–sacrifices to ensure the greater safety and health of our country.

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