Experts worry 'COVID-fatigue' could be causing spike in cases

DROPLETS FROM OTHERS. RHEYA: AS THE PANDEMIC DRAGS ON, SOME SUGGEST COVID FATIGUE COULD BE PARTIALLY TO BLAME FOR SPIKING CASE COUNTS IN IOWA. DOCTORS SAY PEOPLE ARE LETTING THEIR GUARDS DOWN. AN EXPERT SHOWED OUR CHRIS GOTHNER HOW WE CAN ALL COMBAT IT. CHRIS GOVERNOR REYNOLDS HAS : MENTIONED COVID FATIGUE AS A POSSIBLE REASON WHY CASE COUNTS ARE SPIKING. MANY PEOPLE ARE JUST TIRED OF DEALING WITH THE VIRUS BUT EXPERTS SAY NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO LET YOUR GUARD DOWN. I SPOKE WITH KINDRA PERRY, SHE’S A PSYCHOLOGIST AT BROADLAWNS MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS CLINICAL DIRECTOR FOR OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. SHE SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT WE GROUND OURSELVES IN THE MOMENT RIGHT NOW. DON’T SET TIMETABLES, AND FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL LIKE WEARING A MASK AND TAKING OTHER IMPORTANT STEP BE COMPASSIONATE TO OTHERS, SHE SAYS AND YOURSELF. , SELF-CARE IS KEY AS WE DEAL WITH BURNOUT FROM THIS VIRUS. GET REGULAR EXERCISE, WALKING, GOING OUTDOORS, GET GOOD SLEEP. PERRY SAYS THE COURSE AND DOIN THE RIGHT THINGS NOW COULD GET US CLOSER TO SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY, RATHER THAN PROLONGING EVERYTHING. >> REMIND YOURSELF WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO THIS. SO THAT WE CAN DO ALL THOS THINGS THAT WE ARE MISSING OUT RIGHT NOW. AND THE MORE WE DO THAT RIGHT NOW THE QUICKER WE CAN GET TO , WHAT WE ALL WANT. CHRIS AND IF COVID FATIGUE IS

As the pandemic drags on, some suggest "COVID fatigue" could be partially to blame for spiking case counts in Iowa. Doctors said people are letting their guards down. Kindra Perry, a psychologist with Broadlawns Medical Center, said it's important to ground ourselves in the moment right now. She said don't set timetables and focus on what you can control, like wearing a mask and taking other important steps. Perry also encourages Iowans to be compassionate to others and yourself. Self care is key as we deal with burnout from the coronavirus, and she suggests getting regular exercise, going outdoors and getting good sleep. Perry said the course and doing the right things now could get Iowa closer to some sense of normalcy rather than prolonging the pandemic. "Remind yourself why it's important to do this," Perry said. "It's so that we can do all those things that we're really missing out (on) right now and the more we do that right now the quicker we can get to what we all want."If COVID fatigue is getting to you, don't be afraid to seek out mental health experts to talk to, Perry said.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

As the pandemic drags on, some suggest "COVID fatigue" could be partially to blame for spiking case counts in Iowa.

Doctors said people are letting their guards down. Kindra Perry, a psychologist with Broadlawns Medical Center, said it's important to ground ourselves in the moment right now.

She said don't set timetables and focus on what you can control, like wearing a mask and taking other important steps. Perry also encourages Iowans to be compassionate to others and yourself.

Self care is key as we deal with burnout from the coronavirus, and she suggests getting regular exercise, going outdoors and getting good sleep.

Perry said the course and doing the right things now could get Iowa closer to some sense of normalcy rather than prolonging the pandemic.

"Remind yourself why it's important to do this," Perry said. "It's so that we can do all those things that we're really missing out (on) right now and the more we do that right now the quicker we can get to what we all want."

If COVID fatigue is getting to you, don't be afraid to seek out mental health experts to talk to, Perry said.

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