Okay — so you decided to read this article anyway. Welcome!
Each individual story and news item pertaining to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus — which is also known as COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV — pandemic would be a top headline under normal circumstances…
Do Not Read This Article. Take a Walk Instead. If You Can.
…but as we are constantly being bombarded with reminders of what is going on around the world, becoming desensitized to a topic — no matter how unbelievable the subject matter may be — and experiencing symptoms of fatigue are likely to occur.
In fact, fatigue from the news was already an issue prior to the advent of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, according to this article written by
“Americans’ exhaustion with the news hasn’t changed since early 2018 – the last time the Center asked this question – when 68% felt worn out”, according to the aforementioned article. “About two-thirds of Americans (66%) feel worn out by the amount of news there is, while far fewer (32%) say they like the amount of news they are getting, according to a Pew Research Center survey of more than 12,000 U.S. adults conducted in October and November of last year — the first survey in the Center’s nearly yearlong Election News Pathways project. This feeling of news fatigue hasn’t escaped journalists either, some of whom have voiced their exhaustion with the news cycle and the seemingly endless stream of information.”
Combined with mandated orders from governments to stay at home, the constant onslaught of news pertaining to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus can cause fatigue more likely than ever.
Fortunately, orders to stay at home by governments in numerous jurisdictions may not exclude simply going out for a walk, as long as you maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people. The weather is likely ideal for a nice walk, as spring was newly ushered in throughout the northern hemisphere last week; and autumn has just begun in the southern hemisphere.
Use this national pause to keep your distance while staying connected. Play it safe to protect yourself and others from #COVID19. https://t.co/1YQ4UWHAkk #PhysicalDistance pic.twitter.com/tJuqB7kmph
— CDC (@CDCgov) March 25, 2020
Summary
I am the first to admit that I am just as guilty of bombarding you with news and topics pertaining to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus as everyone else — and with regard to the travel industry in some respects, some of the articles which have been posted here at The Gate have barely scratched the surface of the unprecedented magnitude of what is currently going on in the world.
In the meantime, take this opportunity to go for a refreshingly invigorating walk, if you are permitted to do so in the jurisdiction in which you are based. Leave your portable electronic device at home. Appreciate the flowers which are blooming in the northern hemisphere or the leaves which are starting to change colors in the southern hemisphere. Listen to the birds as they sing their songs as though without a care in the world. Breathe in that fresh air, which should be cleaner overall due to fewer pollutants being spewed into the air in recent weeks. The exercise will be good for you, and you will have a chance to clear your head of all of the bad news which seems to never end.
In fact, all of the national parks which are open in the United States have suspended entrance fees — so taking a walk in one should not cost you a single penny.
I would even call for an International Walking Day — but did you know that the first Wednesday in April is already National Walking Day? This year, that day falls on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
Walking is what I have been doing lately — miles and miles of walking — and it has been good for me.
Please go for that walk and report back as to how you feel in the Comments section below…
…and remember — regardless of our opinions and beliefs pertaining to this virus — things will eventually get better. They will likely get worse before they get better, but things will get better.
Thank you for not reading this article…
All photographs ©2017, ©2018, and ©2019 by Brian Cohen.
