Authors: UC Davis Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is research that defines the stages of stress on communities from disasters. If it makes anyone feel better, as a society, we are right on target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early during or right after a disaster, communities tend to pull together. People support each other and create a sense of community bonding, Hermanson said. Think back to the first weeks of the stay-at-home orders when everyone in neighborhoods waved to everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEventually, that heroic spirit wears thin as the difficulties and stress build up. That\u2019s when we hit the disillusionment phase,\u201d Hermanson said. \u201cWe lose our optimism and start to have negative or angry reactions. We ask, \u2018What are they doing to fix this? How long will this last?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s about where we stand now as a society. \u201cMany people are exhausted by it all,\u201d she said. \u201cSome are saying they don\u2019t care if they get COVID-19. They\u2019d rather risk getting sick than stay home or be careful. Others have simply stopped listening to health leaders and science.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This phase could last a while, in part because the disaster \u2013 the COVID-19 pandemic \u2013 is still going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cResearch shows that disillusionment can last up to a year from the start of the disaster,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd this pandemic is like nothing we\u2019ve experienced before, and it\u2019s not over yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can help ourselves,\u201d Hermanson said. \u201cWe\u2019ve heard this before, but it\u2019s true: It\u2019s time to develop coping skills.\u201d Those include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n