As new COVID-19 variants have been discovered in the Washington DC metro region, health experts are urging people to remain vigilant and resist “COVID fatigue.” We’ve been dealing with the pandemic restrictions for almost a year now, and the emotional exhaustion can sometimes lead to relaxed attitudes and riskier behaviors. “The thing is, when we let our guard down, that actually lets the virus spread,” Alexandria Public Health Director Dr. Stephen Haering said in a story relating a surge in November to COVID fatigue. 

A University of Virginia report named pandemic fatigue as one of the reasons behind its prediction of a post-Thanksgiving surge in infections throughout the state. The prediction turned out to be true, with Virginia seeing a one-day record of almost 10,000 new cases on Jan. 17. “Now we need to battle ‘COVID Fatigue’ as cases are on the rise. Now is the time to double down our efforts to help stop the spread,” the Virginia Department of Health says on its website.

Making safety precautions part of your family’s daily routine will help make it second nature to wear a mask, washing your hands, and social distancing. Decades ago, many people resisted the idea of wearing seat belts, and it wasn’t until 1984 that New York became the first state to make drivers wear seat belts. Today, most of us just naturally put on our seat belts when getting into a car – because wearing them, like masks, will save lives.  

Other tips to make safety precautions easier for your family to commit to include:

Keeping supplies handy. Keep an extra mask in your car, bag, entry tables and other areas where you can grab one easily in case you forget or need to give one to someone else. Do the same with bottles of hand sanitizer, including travel sizes for purses and backpacks. 

Being a role model for others. Studies have shown that seeing someone wear a mask makes it more likely others will do the same. Your children, especially, mimic your behavior so be sure to wear your mask correctly all the time.  

Giving kids choices. Let your children pick out masks in colors they like and fabrics that are comfortable for them. This will make it more likely that they will want to wear them consistently and properly. 

Mister Kleen is a leading provider of contract cleaning services to Commercial and High Security facilities, including SCIFs, since 1976. Our primary service area is the DC Metro region. We also provide a variety of interior and exterior specialty services, including Disinfection services.