Pandemic fatigue is a concept established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to refer to the reaction to the prolonged measures and restrictions generated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The neuropsychologist and doctor in cognitive neurosciences, Emelyn Sánchez Gómez, explained that this is the result of being with high and sustained stress levels for a long time.
“Stress is one of the most amazing things that can happen to the brain, adrenaline goes up, cortisol goes up, and there’s a chemical in the brain called norepinephrine that allows me to pay attention. This chemical that’s good, if there’s Sustained and high stress, they corrode us or fill us with rust, and cause us fatigue due to being continuously exposed,” he explained.
As for all this pandemic time, the specialist recommended trying not to hear so much news about the virus, it is always important to open the morning with an overview of what is happening in the world and at the national level.
“What we could do is try not to consume so much during the day, this does not mean not being informed, being informed is good, being overinformed will continue to cause us a lot of discomfort,” he emphasized.
Regarding the carnival theme, he said that this has become a rite for Panamanians, but it is characterized by intoxication, mainly due to alcohol. “Mixing alcohol in a time of pandemic is not a good idea because it is a depressant, it makes the brain lose its inhibitions and it makes us lower biosecurity measures, and I don’t think a carnival without alcohol is possible, it would no longer be a ritual,” Sanchez sentenced.
