Around the world COVID-19 is extending its influence, infecting thousands of new victims every day, many of whom are completely unaware that they are now a carrier.
The severity and potential for catastrophe that Coronavirus poses is something that can no longer be understated by even the most resolute deniers of this deadly disease.
Governments are scrambling to keep fear at a minimum and confidence in their ability to bring things under control at a maximum.
The worldwide healthcare community is bracing for a tsunami of sick patients that could send hospitals into a tailspin and cause under-equipped doctors’ surgeries to shut down entirely.
The media is running day and night to keep readers informed and provide accurate reporting on the virus’ spread and where each individual country stands in dealing with the pandemic.
And yet many in the wider public are simply switching off to the issue.
A phrase not yet coined in popular discourse but one that’s befitting of the situation at hand is ‘COVID-19 Fatigue’. Not the fatigue experienced by one afflicted by the deadly virus, but the weariness felt by being bombarded by coronavirus information day in, day out.
It’s a deadly concern that still very much has the capacity to send the world tumbling down into the abyss of economic depression and social disarray.
It’s a phenomenon not usually seen in matters of worldwide importance. While most people have no doubt experienced feelings of fatigue when faced with hearing about the latest celebrity gossip provided by mainstream media, this issue isn’t ignorable fluff.
It’s a deadly concern that still very much has the capacity to send the world tumbling down into the abyss of economic depression and social disarray.
So why are so many people already sick and tired of hearing about Coronavirus?
It comes down to information overload. Humans are hardwired to take in only the most vital information from their surroundings. The ability to ignore extraneous stimulus is a key reason why learning is so easily achievable for humans, where for animals it’s a hard-won game of experience and instinct.
But in that strength lies weakness in times of trial. Information on Coronavirus, whether it be new government laws or the evening news, is information that without a doubt can be deemed ‘essential’. To stay informed is to stay safe, but the sheer amount of non-essential or ‘secondary’ coverage that the virus gets every day is causing what can only be called an excess of information.
People are switching off and tuning out to the wave of COVID-19 info being made available every second of every day, simply because they can’t retain so much information without feeling drained by the process.
But there is a way to stay engaged while not falling victim to COVID-19 fatigue.
Informed actions are the cure to this epidemic, and it’s the provision of quality information that holds the key to keeping the worldwide population engaged throughout the coming months.
Instead of providing dumps of information that are read by many and cared about by few, an emphasis must be placed on distilling data, statistics and news down to a more digestible size.
Higher quality information requires less investment by a viewer to get what they need to stay informed. Meaning that they interface with a provider for longer and with any luck, get much more out of each interaction.
Whether it’s real-time monitoring or predicting and modelling outbreaks, the more people working on a problem, the easier it becomes to solve.
Ensuring that quality information is in plentiful supply begins by engaging with reputable experts, whose knowledge best fits the specifics of the information that needs to be provided.
Collaborative intelligence is a key player in this regard. Whether it’s real-time monitoring or predicting and modelling outbreaks, the more people working on a problem, the easier it becomes to solve. This extends to the information gathering process as well, as more experts join and offer their knowledge the faster and better streams of information become.
But what should those wanting to combat COVID-19 fatigue do themselves?
Just like gathering information is all about creating the right channels for generation, staying informed without mentally checking outcomes down to choosing the best possible stream of information available.
Engaging reputable providers of crisis updates and information concerning what to do during this epidemic are the best way to limit sensory overload. Besides government announcements and news, look for sources of collaborative knowledge that are managed by a wide variety of different experts.
This ensures that when you choose to interface, the data and info provided is thorough, meaning less time invested for more informational returns.
There’s also the potential to have your own input in the provision and circulation of quality information that can assist others in the fight against COVID-19 fatigue.
Share information that’s comprehensive and correct while leaving behind what’s out of date or has motives other than keeping members of the public informed.