‘COVID-19 news fatigue’ is evidently beginning to grate at the public after viewers took to social media to express their exasperation at constant updates on the pandemic.
Last night’s Clare Byrne Live delved into various topics, many of which revolved around COVID-19.
Byrne interviewed a number of contact tracers around Ireland who detailed how even something as seemingly innocent as visiting a single home over the Christmas period can lead to up to 30 close contacts.
Colm O’Reilly of the Cork Contact Tracing Centre, explained that the double-digit contacts arose from “just two or three” family gatherings over the holidays.
“It wasn’t something major like a wedding or a party, it was just people visiting their loved ones over Christmas, which seems perfectly reasonable, but within the context of the pandemic it can make a huge difference.”
In another segment about COVID-19 relation separation anxiety and isolation Dublin GP and founder of SafetyNet Ireland Austin O’Carroll discussed the ‘intense’ sense of guilt people can feel when they have inadvertently given a loved one COVID-19.
“It isn’t just guilt; it’s a sense of shame too, as if someone you have let society down, that other people think badly of you … and I just think that is so wrong.”
“A virus will exploit any opportunity and will exploit those times when we want to be with a loved one.”
“No one intends to give a disease to their loved ones … We know that we’re taking risks [when visiting loved ones], but there’s the risk of leaving those we love alone for long periods of time.”
Now, some social media users have argued that a constant stream of COVID-19 content is inducing anxiety in the already frayed public psyche.
One user said: “Why is my Mam obsessed with watching the news and shows talking about Covid-19? Everything is so depressing, watching Claire Byrne Live feels like you’re injecting depression straight into your body.”
Another wrote: “Claire Byrne show [is] Covid-19, Covid-19, Covid-19 … ”
A third argued: “Can Claire Byrne please stop talking about Covid-19? #cblive every talkshow is talking about it we need something else”
However, others were quick to defend the focus on Covid-19, arguing that hearing about the pandemic frequently is an inevitable aspect of the situation we are all currently in.
“People giving out that Claire Byrne Live is focusing on Covid-19,” a user wrote on Twitter. “Every current affairs program in the world is reporting on Covid-19. It is the main news, what do you want them to do? Least they are talking about the anxiety of it and how to deal with it.”
Other people online expressed gratitude to Dr Austin O’Carroll for expressing a compassionate response to those who bend COVID-19 rules due to feelings of isolation or separation anxiety.
“I love the consistent humanity and kindness of Dr @austinoc_austin. He demonstrates empathy and understanding in an increasingly judgmental and harsh world.”
