Beyond the Byline: We can’t handle a return to self-isolation

WILKES-BARRE — Looking at the latest COVID-19 statistics for Pennsylvania and Luzerne County, are we heading toward another stay-at-home, isolation, social distancing, mask-wearing, patience-testing time again?

I sure hope not.

Heck, we struggled to get through the last extended period of mitigation madness.

Yet, the numbers don’t lie. Do they?

Anyway, despite being double vaccinated and boostered up, many here in Luzerne County are getting the virus, resulting in hospitalization — and in some cases, death.

Why is Luzerne County seeing such high numbers, especially among those who are vaccinated. Come on Department of Health, please explain this.

There have to be reasons why this is happening and inquiring minds want answers — NOW!

Meanwhile, back at Isolation Never Again headquarters, we must consider what we will do if we are ordered to remain at home for an extended period of time.

Not that long ago — say 2020, for instance — people searched for things to do to cope with corona. It wasn’t easy. And it made us angry, bored, depressed, lonely, angry — yeah, I mentioned that last one twice.

The last thing we want to hear is “take some comfort in knowing that we are all in this together and together, we can get through this COVID-19 pandemic.”

However, if we might again be faced with coronavirus and its restrictions, we must find ways to keep ourselves occupied and amused.

Yes, we have the television and its wealth of entertaining and informative shows. We can play games. Or search the internet. Or talk to our friends and family via social media, texting, or actual phone calls.

And we must go grocery shopping to purchase needed provisions — wearing masks, I presume. But no hording of the basics, like milk, bread, toilet tissue, etc.

And after completing those necessary errands, we must search for something to watch on TV. Reruns of “Two and a Half Men” and “Law & Order” are at the top of my list. And with the Yankees now preparing for spring training 2-22, I can watch the Major League playoffs in peace. And, of course, NFL and college football are happening. Fantasy Football is a major focus.

And I can always return to taking my daily rides to Harveys Lake to enjoy the fall foliage and listen to the hit of the sixties and seventies.

And maybe I can cook more meals at home — I do make a killer lasagna.

So I got this email that directed me to the website: https://spider-solitaire-challenge.com/pandemic-brain.

“Pandemic brain?” What could this be?

Well I open it and I see that some 51% of Pennsylvanians apparently have “pandemic brain.”

And the survey also claims:

• 29% say boredom has been the overriding emotion during the pandemic.

• Respondents believe ‘Gen Z’ has missed out the most during social isolation.

Here is what the website says:

“Devoid of social interaction over the past year, many of us are well-acquainted with being bored at home. You’ve read every magazine and watched your entire Netflix list, or started a garden (which seems to be taking forever to grow) and made every banana bread recipe under the sun. But no matter what, your brain feels sluggish and unstimulated. Maybe you’ve accidentally put the milk in the cupboard and cereal in the fridge one too many times lately.

“Enter the term ‘pandemic brain’ — the frustratingly subtle, gradual mental deterioration many of us have struggled with over the course of the pandemic.”

Spider Solitaire Challenge conducted a survey of 3,000 to find out how many of us have experienced the dreaded pandemic brain and moreover, how we’re attempting to keep our minds sharp. If you’ve noticed a decline in your cognitive abilities during this time, you’re not alone — in fact, the national average is 48%. Moreover, nearly 1 in 5 (18%) found they’ve been making more mistakes at work over the last year.”

The website states people are doing more crossword puzzles to stay sharp, or playing games online. The site says it appears the thing we most have in common a year into the pandemic is boredom: 29% of respondents say this an adverse feeling they’ve experienced most since the coronavirus began. Nearly a quarter (24%) say they’ve picked up the habit of being lazy when it comes to exercise, and 23% have felt loss in interest in general. Nearly 1 in 5 (17%) respondents reported trouble sleeping and 7% struggled with untidiness at home.

Good luck to you all as you meander through the next couple of weeks. Rely on your family and friends.

Stay positive. Stay sharp.