WE are back in the 3,000 cases range in our daily new Covid-19 numbers.
All the projections saying we would be in the three-digit realm by this month are now out the door.
Where did we go wrong? Is it possible that standard operating procedure (SOP) fatigue is causing a decline in compliance, thus leading to a spike in infections?
Public health experts believe there may be some truth to this. A report by the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia last year said SOP fatigue may be the cause. It believes that while public understanding of the virus and preventive measures is high, fatigue may have taken hold and caused people to let their guard down.
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia specialist clinic medical director Associate Professor Dr Mohd Radzniwan A. Rashid said "pandemic fatigue" could be among the factors causing some individuals to be less alert to safety protocols. It has been a year since Covid-19 affected countries all over the world.
There is still a lot of uncertainty as to when the crisis will end. And there is no sign of decline in the number of positive cases in Malaysia or any other country worldwide.
Behavioural experts say that after a long time of being subjected to restrictions, fatigue can set in because it is not part of usual human behaviour.
Recent checks at several eateries in the Klang Valley by this newspaper found many had "forgotten" to scan the QR code for the MySejahtera app, write down their details or have their temperature taken before entering premises. And what of the daily crowds that throng Ramadan bazaars?
Thankfully, yesterday, 22 bazaars were ordered to close, effective today, amid rising number of infections in the country. The number of SOP violations and fines issued may be evidence that people are tired. What other reason is there for throwing caution to the wind?
How do we overcome pandemic and SOP fatigue? Communities in some countries are calling on their governments to get behavioural scientists and communication specialists to advise local authorities on how to mitigate this drudgery.
Experts can advise the government on how health education can be continuous and interesting to keep the public's attention and ensure fatigue does not set in.
A public health expert says with increased symptoms of fatigue and burnout, it is critical that one's compliance to safety measures is maintained. He says pandemic fatigue is a threat to public health measures like wearing a face mask and physical distancing that have kept us safe for the past year.
People are ready to switch back to what normal was before, but is that wise? Be physically active, he says. Exercise is a great coping mechanism; an exercise routine helps lessen SOP fatigue.
It is one of the best ways to release built-up energy from stress and worry. Good sleep hygiene, diet and exercise have also been recommended. There are narratives that compare Covid-19 to a world war; if so, now is simply not the time to surrender our defences.
For the good of everyone's health and the wellbeing of the country, everyone needs to do their part to stay safe, sane and healthy so we can continue the fight to re-flatten the curve.