Features
‘COVID Fatigue’ and ‘COVID-19 Caution Fatigue’
By Dr B. J. C. Perera
Specialist Consultant Paediatrician
Physical fatigue, marked muscle aches, weakness of the body and bodily exhaustion are well-recognised clinical features of COVID-19 disease. Some patients feel really ill, lifeless and have severe muscular and joint pains during the acute illness. In some of them, these effects last a long time, even after recovery. By now, all these things have become well-known and sort of ‘old hat’ type of details of the actual disease.
However, the terminology of the title of this article, COVID Fatigue and COVID-19 Caution Fatigue, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, refer to the physical effects of the illness. These really denote some of the mental effects and their repercussions in those who have not contracted the disease, but are being constantly bombarded and reminded, especially over mass media, of the implications of the disease itself. These may also result in certain undesirable behaviour patterns on the part of those who exhibit these phenomena. The medical circles are just beginning to see the significance and the importance of these manifestations with regard to the current scenario.
COVID Fatigue is a new phrase that refers to the general thoughts and psychological feelings that many people get of being mentally tired, discouraged, and even disgusted by everything that is going on with their lives that are being dictated to by this tiny coronavirus. This includes being isolated and preached on for so long that they have become totally sick of hearing these mantras, over and over, again and again. In some cases, the reaction on the part of some people have been one of irritation, intolerance, resistance, leading to even non-compliance. Some have given up on masking, regular washing of hands, physical distancing, and generally in all forms of self-protection. This type of risky behaviour and disregard for the health rules is an unwholesome way through which people try to cope with the stress that is piling up. Though this kind of behaviour may provide one with short-term relief, it is not truly beneficial and may even lead to disastrous results.
The COVID-19 Caution Fatigue is a related phenomenon that has slightly different connotations. When the pandemic began and lockdowns were ordered, many people were tremendously energized to do their very best and help to reduce the spread of the disease. They were an absolute model lot. However, months of isolation, all kinds of restrictions and the ever-present anxiety have drained people of their motivation. It has caused many to become less strict and less concerned about following the guidelines issued by the health authorities. They have become sort of immune to being constantly reminded of all kinds of cautions and restraints. They have become quite a bit nonchalant about the statements advising caution. It has led to a kind of ‘fatigue of caution’ after being cautious about the disease for far too long. Many people can only remain vigilant for so long before they start to become exhausted and throw caution to the winds. These could become the straws that finally break the camel’s back.
Ultimately both these components end up in a single common final pathway which may induce the public to assume a blasé attitude and take things for granted. It may appear to be the case that these affected people could not care less. In another perspective, they may sometimes even be tempted to behave like COVIDIOTS; yet another newly introduced terminology which is a kind of a slang-word, combining ‘covid’ and ‘idiots’. It describes some people who cause many a problem by going against the very grain that is designed to ensure their safety and freedom from the virus.
The problem with those who suffer from COVID Fatigue and COVID-19 Caution Fatigue is that they start to lose interest in life, stop enjoying the joys of living, give up general happiness with things around them and get into a state where they do not get any satisfaction from life. They may also become so disgruntled as to exhibit some irrational behaviour patterns. This could affect even highly educated and intelligent professionals but for clear socio-political and economic reasons, they are a lot commoner in the lower social strata. People who have all these problems may respond in one of two ways. Some may take the path of resolute resistance and fight back against society and the restrictions imposed. Others may become rather indifferent and get inevitably committed in their mindsets to any and every unfortunate eventuality that may come their way.
The coronavirus itself may be novel, but the outbreak is stirring up some very fundamental instincts in people. A keen sense of warning and coping mechanisms that have been with humankind since the dawn of time are also programmed to induce fear and anxiety. According to mental health experts, feeling worried in such a situation is absolutely normal and even healthy. This evolutionary trait has stuck around for millions of years because it alerts us in times of danger and prompts us to come up even with newer survival skills.
The catch is when anxiety becomes somewhat disproportionate to the situation. It can turn into intense fear or a feeling of hopelessness and it starts to interfere with our day-to-day lives and wellbeing. Following official instructions, things such as staying at home, social distancing, washing of hands, etc., become important to people because it engages problem-solving behaviour. But the uncertainty of how long this situation will last, the constant stream of new information and the social isolation, all create a fertile ground for escalating anxiety. It is important to realise that panic, could also be contagious. The biggest problem at the present time is that there does not seem to be any decent light at the end of the tunnel.
To get through this time as efficiently, serenely and healthily as possible, it is important to be familiar with some ways to calm ourselves. It is quite essential, to try and ward off such mental complications brought on by utter despair and try to get on with this ‘NEW NORMAL LIFE’. In that context, there are some possible coping mechanisms to try and mitigate the effects of COVID Fatigue and COVID-19 Caution Fatigue.
For a start, staying informed does not mean that one has to be perpetually connected and follow live news 24/7. It can really become exhausting. Turning the push notifications off on news apps can help relieve some of that pressure. It is necessary to choose just one or two reliable sources, and keep track of their updates at allocated times once or twice a day. It is also recommended to set a specific length of time for social media to avoid getting caught up in it, which is often, very likely to increase anxiety. Of course, it is not possible or recommended to completely bury your head in the sand and be totally oblivious to what is happening. One is bound to see some unnerving headlines on social media and in news reports. It is essential to remind yourself that a lot of it is speculation and not fact. A concerted effort must be made to follow the clear instructions of the health organizations and try to avoid news headlines that do not contribute to your wellbeing.
One should not be deterred if the exercise or dancing class that one is enrolled in is not taking place at the moment or your regular walking sessions in the designated exercise sites are impossible because of locked-in situations or curfews. Aerobic exercise is known to allay anxiety, especially if it was already a part of your usual routine. Practicing a dance routine, exercise sequence, or yoga are all healthy ways to keep your mind distracted and channel your adrenaline elsewhere. You can turn your garden into a workout area, or move around some furniture in your living room for the purpose.
For some people, it is not just the prospect of catching the virus itself that is causing stress, but the feeling of emptiness and the disruption of daily routines. You need to connect with others. Staying indoors means being by yourselves, or with your family or housemates for a much longer period of time than you are used to. Some might be asked to self-quarantine, but that does not mean completely isolating yourself from your social contacts, apart of course from physical isolation. Maintaining human interaction at such times is very important. Being able to express your thoughts concerning the virus, exchanging opinions and even making jokes will make you feel supported and make it easier to overcome the anxiety. Humans are social beings, wired to be loved, to love, to belong and of course, to meet in-person. It is no wonder that people are finding physical distancing so difficult. In such a case, technology is quite a blessing: call people via a telephone, have a video chat and check on your friends and acquaintances as frequently as possible.
One also needs to guard against certain things that may accompany these changes in the mental status. Spiralling into undesirable and even destructive behaviour is easy when confined to your home. Sleeping in and walking around in your night-clothes might feel nice for a couple of days. However, if it is to be done for days on end and perhaps even for weeks, it will only increase anxiety in the long run. Try to keep the sleeping routine as consistent as possible and get at least eight hours of good-quality sleep. Wake up at a reasonable time in the morning, change out of your night clothes and set a structure for yourself. Work or study from home if possible, cook for yourself and the family, and eat three proper meals a day.
Many experts advocate focusing on the immediate future so that uncertainty about the longer-term outlook does not make one feel hopeless and helpless. However, it is also important to work against the ‘current-moment’ type of biases during the pandemic. Avoid the temptation to do something that brings you pleasure in the moment without acknowledging the risk it may pose in the future. In the case of the pandemic, this could mean going to a large group gathering in your lane without thinking about how this may affect the spread of COVID-19 down the lane. It is hard to assess the perils and risk, especially when the risk is invisible, like the coronavirus and most of the infected people are symptom-free. One needs to find a balance; an equilibrium which may mean less pleasure in the current moment, but more risk mitigation in the future and put risks into their proper perspectives. It may be hard to stay committed to goals like improving public health by staying home, because they are so abstract and can often seem to have no effect on one personally. However, it is necessary to reframe this thought to acknowledge how your behaviour could increase the chance of you or your loved ones getting sick.
In the current scenario, when anxiety takes over a person in a sort of big-time way, it can feel like as if this catastrophe will never end. But it always does end. Remember the Spanish Flu of 1918 which killed over 50 million people? There were no effective anti-viral drugs and there was no vaccine. However, although the scientists are not quite sure as to how it happened, the epidemic died out within about two years. The current pandemic is a worrying time for almost everyone, but this situation is temporary. Be kind to yourself and your loved ones. It may sound rather optimistic, but we will overcome this together.
Finally, people need to be warned against falling into “thinking traps” such as the assumption that since you have not been sick, you will not get sick in the future, or convincing yourself that an outing is necessary when your motivation behind it may just be boredom. Now is not the time to let our guard down. For the good of everyone’s health and the well-being of the country, we need to do our part to maintain an appropriate level of caution and try our very best to re-flatten the curve. Indeed, sanity must prevail, through sheer necessity of course. Come rain or sunshine or this miserable corona, life must surely go on.
by Dr Gotabhya Ranasinghe
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
National Hospital Sri Lanka
When we sought a meeting with Hon Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health, he graciously cleared his busy schedule to accommodate us. Renowned for his attentive listening and deep understanding, Minister Pathirana is dedicated to advancing the health sector. His openness and transparency exemplify the qualities of an exemplary politician and minister.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the current Health Secretary, demonstrates both commendable enthusiasm and unwavering support. This combination of attributes makes him a highly compatible colleague for the esteemed Minister of Health.
Our discussion centered on a project that has been in the works for the past 30 years, one that no other minister had managed to advance.
Minister Pathirana, however, recognized the project’s significance and its potential to revolutionize care for heart patients.
The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo. The project’s location within the premises of the National Hospital underscores its importance and relevance to the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
This facility will include a cardiology building and a tertiary care center, equipped with the latest technology to handle and treat all types of heart-related conditions and surgeries.
Securing funding was a major milestone for this initiative. Minister Pathirana successfully obtained approval for a $40 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank. With the funding in place, the foundation stone is scheduled to be laid in September this year, and construction will begin in January 2025.
This project guarantees a consistent and uninterrupted supply of stents and related medications for heart patients. As a result, patients will have timely access to essential medical supplies during their treatment and recovery. By securing these critical resources, the project aims to enhance patient outcomes, minimize treatment delays, and maintain the highest standards of cardiac care.
Upon its fruition, this monumental building will serve as a beacon of hope and healing, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier society.We anticipate a future marked by significant progress and positive outcomes in Sri Lanka’s cardiovascular treatment landscape within the foreseeable timeframe.
by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI
Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, THE MISSIONARY OBLATE had gone to press by that time. Immediately I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me, the present writer.
It was in 1988, when I was appointed Director of the Oblate Scholastics at Ampitiya by the then Oblate Provincial Fr. Anselm Silva, that I came to know Fr. Aloy more closely. Knowing well his expertise in matters spiritual, theological, Indological and pastoral, and with the collaborative spirit of my companion-formators, our Oblate Scholastics were sent to Tulana, the Research and Encounter Centre, Kelaniya, of which he is the Founder-Director, for ‘exposure-programmes’ on matters spiritual, biblical, theological and pastoral. Some of these dimensions according to my view and that of my companion-formators, were not available at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
Ever since that time, our Oblate formators/ accompaniers at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya , have continued to send our Oblate Scholastics to Tulana Centre for deepening their insights and convictions regarding matters needed to serve the people in today’s context. Fr. Aloy also had tried very enthusiastically with the Oblate team headed by Frs. Oswald Firth and Clement Waidyasekara to begin a Theologate, directed by the Religious Congregations in Sri Lanka, for the contextual formation/ accompaniment of their members. It should very well be a desired goal of the Leaders / Provincials of the Religious Congregations.
Besides being a formator/accompanier at the Oblate Scholasticate, I was entrusted also with the task of editing and publishing our Oblate journal, ‘The Missionary Oblate’. To maintain the quality of the journal I continue to depend on Fr. Aloy for his thought-provoking and stimulating articles on Biblical Spirituality, Biblical Theology and Ecclesiology. I am very grateful to him for his generous assistance. Of late, his writings on renewal of the Church, initiated by Pope St. John XX111 and continued by Pope Francis through the Synodal path, published in our Oblate journal, enable our readers to focus their attention also on the needed renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Aloy appreciated very much the Synodal path adopted by the Jesuit Pope Francis for the renewal of the Church, rooted very much on prayerful discernment. In my Religious and presbyteral life, Fr.Aloy continues to be my spiritual animator / guide and ongoing formator / acccompanier.
Fr. Aloysius Pieris, BA Hons (Lond), LPh (SHC, India), STL (PFT, Naples), PhD (SLU/VC), ThD (Tilburg), D.Ltt (KU), has been one of the eminent Asian theologians well recognized internationally and one who has lectured and held visiting chairs in many universities both in the West and in the East. Many members of Religious Congregations from Asian countries have benefited from his lectures and guidance in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila, Philippines. He had been a Theologian consulted by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences for many years. During his professorship at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was called to be a member of a special group of advisers on other religions consulted by Pope Paul VI.
Fr. Aloy is the author of more than 30 books and well over 500 Research Papers. Some of his books and articles have been translated and published in several countries. Among those books, one can find the following: 1) The Genesis of an Asian Theology of Liberation (An Autobiographical Excursus on the Art of Theologising in Asia, 2) An Asian Theology of Liberation, 3) Providential Timeliness of Vatican 11 (a long-overdue halt to a scandalous millennium, 4) Give Vatican 11 a chance, 5) Leadership in the Church, 6) Relishing our faith in working for justice (Themes for study and discussion), 7) A Message meant mainly, not exclusively for Jesuits (Background information necessary for helping Francis renew the Church), 8) Lent in Lanka (Reflections and Resolutions, 9) Love meets wisdom (A Christian Experience of Buddhism, 10) Fire and Water 11) God’s Reign for God’s poor, 12) Our Unhiddden Agenda (How we Jesuits work, pray and form our men). He is also the Editor of two journals, Vagdevi, Journal of Religious Reflection and Dialogue, New Series.
Fr. Aloy has a BA in Pali and Sanskrit from the University of London and a Ph.D in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lankan, Vidyodaya Campus. On Nov. 23, 2019, he was awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera.
Fr. Aloy continues to be a promoter of Gospel values and virtues. Justice as a constitutive dimension of love and social concern for the downtrodden masses are very much noted in his life and work. He had very much appreciated the commitment of the late Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando, the National Director of the Social and Economic Centre (SEDEC) for the poor.
In Sri Lanka, a few religious Congregations – the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and the Oblates – have invited him to animate their members especially during their Provincial Congresses, Chapters and International Conferences. The mainline Christian Churches also have sought his advice and followed his seminars. I, for one, regret very much, that the Sri Lankan authorities of the Catholic Church –today’s Hierarchy—- have not sought Fr.
Aloy’s expertise for the renewal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and thus have not benefited from the immense store of wisdom and insight that he can offer to our local Church while the Sri Lankan bishops who governed the Catholic church in the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (Edmund Fernando OMI, Anthony de Saram, Leo Nanayakkara OSB, Frank Marcus Fernando, Paul Perera,) visited him and consulted him on many matters. Among the Tamil Bishops, Bishop Rayappu Joseph was keeping close contact with him and Bishop J. Deogupillai hosted him and his team visiting him after the horrible Black July massacre of Tamils.
Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
By Gomi Senadhira
senadhiragomi@gmail.com
“You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the ultimate result of this is the country becoming bankrupt. Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet.” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 2024 Budget speech
Any Sri Lankan would agree with the above words of President Wickremesinghe on the false promises our politicians and officials make and the fairy tales they narrate which bankrupted this country. So, to understand this, let’s look at one such fairy tale with lots of false promises; Ranil Wickremesinghe’s greatest achievement in the area of international trade and investment promotion during the Yahapalana period, Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA).
It is appropriate and timely to do it now as Finance Minister Wickremesinghe has just presented to parliament a bill on the National Policy on Economic Transformation which includes the establishment of an Office for International Trade and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
Was SLSFTA a “Cleverly negotiated Free Trade Agreement” as stated by the (former) Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate on the SLSFTA in July 2018, or a colossal blunder covered up with lies, false promises, and fairy tales? After SLSFTA was signed there were a number of fairy tales published on this agreement by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International, Institute of Policy Studies, and others.
However, for this article, I would like to limit my comments to the speech by Minister Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate, and the two most important areas in the agreement which were covered up with lies, fairy tales, and false promises, namely: revenue loss for Sri Lanka and Investment from Singapore. On the other important area, “Waste products dumping” I do not want to comment here as I have written extensively on the issue.
1. The revenue loss
During the Parliamentary Debate in July 2018, Minister Samarawickrama stated “…. let me reiterate that this FTA with Singapore has been very cleverly negotiated by us…. The liberalisation programme under this FTA has been carefully designed to have the least impact on domestic industry and revenue collection. We have included all revenue sensitive items in the negative list of items which will not be subject to removal of tariff. Therefore, 97.8% revenue from Customs duty is protected. Our tariff liberalisation will take place over a period of 12-15 years! In fact, the revenue earned through tariffs on goods imported from Singapore last year was Rs. 35 billion.
The revenue loss for over the next 15 years due to the FTA is only Rs. 733 million– which when annualised, on average, is just Rs. 51 million. That is just 0.14% per year! So anyone who claims the Singapore FTA causes revenue loss to the Government cannot do basic arithmetic! Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I call on my fellow members of this House – don’t mislead the public with baseless criticism that is not grounded in facts. Don’t look at petty politics and use these issues for your own political survival.”
I was surprised to read the minister’s speech because an article published in January 2018 in “The Straits Times“, based on information released by the Singaporean Negotiators stated, “…. With the FTA, tariff savings for Singapore exports are estimated to hit $10 million annually“.
As the annual tariff savings (that is the revenue loss for Sri Lanka) calculated by the Singaporean Negotiators, Singaporean $ 10 million (Sri Lankan rupees 1,200 million in 2018) was way above the rupees’ 733 million revenue loss for 15 years estimated by the Sri Lankan negotiators, it was clear to any observer that one of the parties to the agreement had not done the basic arithmetic!
Six years later, according to a report published by “The Morning” newspaper, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on 7th May 2024, Mr Samarawickrama’s chief trade negotiator K.J. Weerasinghehad had admitted “…. that forecasted revenue loss for the Government of Sri Lanka through the Singapore FTA is Rs. 450 million in 2023 and Rs. 1.3 billion in 2024.”
If these numbers are correct, as tariff liberalisation under the SLSFTA has just started, we will pass Rs 2 billion very soon. Then, the question is how Sri Lanka’s trade negotiators made such a colossal blunder. Didn’t they do their basic arithmetic? If they didn’t know how to do basic arithmetic they should have at least done their basic readings. For example, the headline of the article published in The Straits Times in January 2018 was “Singapore, Sri Lanka sign FTA, annual savings of $10m expected”.
Anyway, as Sri Lanka’s chief negotiator reiterated at the COPF meeting that “…. since 99% of the tariffs in Singapore have zero rates of duty, Sri Lanka has agreed on 80% tariff liberalisation over a period of 15 years while expecting Singapore investments to address the imbalance in trade,” let’s turn towards investment.
Investment from Singapore
In July 2018, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on the FTA this is what Minister Malik Samarawickrama stated on investment from Singapore, “Already, thanks to this FTA, in just the past two-and-a-half months since the agreement came into effect we have received a proposal from Singapore for investment amounting to $ 14.8 billion in an oil refinery for export of petroleum products. In addition, we have proposals for a steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million), sugar refinery ($ 200 million). This adds up to more than $ 16.05 billion in the pipeline on these projects alone.
And all of these projects will create thousands of more jobs for our people. In principle approval has already been granted by the BOI and the investors are awaiting the release of land the environmental approvals to commence the project.
I request the Opposition and those with vested interests to change their narrow-minded thinking and join us to develop our country. We must always look at what is best for the whole community, not just the few who may oppose. We owe it to our people to courageously take decisions that will change their lives for the better.”
According to the media report I quoted earlier, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chief Negotiator Weerasinghe has admitted that Sri Lanka was not happy with overall Singapore investments that have come in the past few years in return for the trade liberalisation under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He has added that between 2021 and 2023 the total investment from Singapore had been around $162 million!
What happened to those projects worth $16 billion negotiated, thanks to the SLSFTA, in just the two-and-a-half months after the agreement came into effect and approved by the BOI? I do not know about the steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million) and sugar refinery ($ 200 million).
However, story of the multibillion-dollar investment in the Petroleum Refinery unfolded in a manner that would qualify it as the best fairy tale with false promises presented by our politicians and the officials, prior to 2019 elections.
Though many Sri Lankans got to know, through the media which repeatedly highlighted a plethora of issues surrounding the project and the questionable credentials of the Singaporean investor, the construction work on the Mirrijiwela Oil Refinery along with the cement factory began on the24th of March 2019 with a bang and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers along with the foreign and local dignitaries laid the foundation stones.
That was few months before the 2019 Presidential elections. Inaugurating the construction work Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the area and surrounding districts.
The oil refinery, which was to be built over 200 acres of land, with the capacity to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was to generate US$7 billion of exports and create 1,500 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. The construction of the refinery was to be completed in 44 months. Four years later, in August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to cancel the agreement with the investors of the refinery as the project has not been implemented! Can they explain to the country how much money was wasted to produce that fairy tale?
It is obvious that the President, ministers, and officials had made huge blunders and had deliberately misled the public and the parliament on the revenue loss and potential investment from SLSFTA with fairy tales and false promises.
As the president himself said, a country cannot be developed by making false promises or with fairy tales and these false promises and fairy tales had bankrupted the country. “Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet”.
(The writer, a specialist and an activist on trade and development issues . )
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