It has been 19 months since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China, and while I wish I could say things have improved, I can’t. Sure, the FDA has approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, marking a significant step forward. On August 23, Pfizer’s two-dose vaccine was recognized as a safe treatment option. The Delta variant is spreading rapidly, which is new, and millions of Americans have received their vaccinations—a positive development. Yet, hospitals are still overwhelmed. Lives continue to be lost, with countless individuals having succumbed to the virus, while parents are left to advocate for proper safety measures. We are striving to keep our children educated and safe, sending them off to school amidst a tide of misinformation. Conspiracy theories are rampant, and anti-vaccine and anti-mask groups are vocally opposing safety measures, clashing with teachers, restaurant staff, and business owners. None of this is acceptable. We are a year and a half into this pandemic, and I find myself filled with anger, exhaustion, and a deep sense of unease.
I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. The stress and fatigue brought on by the pandemic are palpable. Many of us are struggling to hold it all together after enduring the first and second waves. We’ve adapted to working from home, taking conference calls from our bathrooms to minimize distractions from our overcrowded homes. Children have been educated remotely; my daughter, like many others, attended her second-grade classes virtually. First responders, healthcare professionals, teachers, and other essential workers have put their lives at risk daily to keep our country functioning and to protect our lives. They have shown up to work without adequate ventilation or, in some cases, proper PPE. We have weathered multiple rounds of shutdowns, particularly here in New York City, doing what we believed was necessary to protect our loved ones. Yet, here we are, still battling this virus and each other.
Daily arguments with friends, family, and peers have become commonplace, and it’s draining. I’m fatigued from fighting not only for my own life but for the lives of my unvaccinated children, those who are too young to receive protection against COVID-19.
There are other reasons for my distress. I’ve witnessed members of my community fall ill. Some have recovered, while others have not. Friends have been denied medical care as the healthcare system buckles under pressure. A dear friend of mine is gravely ill, and there seems to be no end to her suffering.
Grocery store trips have turned into tests of patience. I feel anger when I see maskless individuals wandering the aisles, worrying I might return home carrying COVID along with my groceries. The news is infuriating—not the facts themselves, but the state of our nation. Despite the scientific advancements and the vaccine, COVID numbers are still rising, and lives continue to be lost. Social media only reinforces this grim reality, as the issue has become more politicized than humanitarian.
The COVID crisis has eroded my faith in family. I’ve distanced myself from some close friends. I know some might suggest I take a step back and breathe. My therapist frequently reminds me that while I cannot control others, I can manage my own reactions. She’s right; the only aspect I can control is my own state of mind. But I’m weary of attending virtual funerals, of saying goodbye online, and of the constant worry and tears.
Recently, my son and three-quarters of my family contracted a different strain of coronavirus, nearly hospitalizing my two-year-old. He suffered a 105-degree fever and a frightening cough, and I feared he would face a solitary death in his crib—not due to a lack of healthcare access, but because our system is overwhelmed. No one should have to endure that kind of fear.
Ironically, conditions could be better. If we all wore masks to protect ourselves and others, we could lead lives that resemble normalcy. We could see businesses resume operations, and vaccination efforts could help bring the “war on COVID” to an end this year.
Yet, instead of heeding the advice of scientists and experts—epidemiologists, virologists, and immunologists—millions are choosing to listen to unreliable sources.
So, please reach out to your family and friends. Ask them how they are feeling and coping. There’s a good chance they, like me, are not okay. Millions of Americans are struggling, feeling burnt out, anxious, and isolated. We are not alright.
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Summary:
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread feelings of frustration and exhaustion as individuals continue to grapple with the realities of illness, misinformation, and systemic issues in healthcare. Many are feeling overwhelmed and isolated, highlighting the importance of checking in on loved ones and acknowledging the emotional toll of this prolonged crisis.