The danger of caution-fatigue in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

We are firmly in the grip of the third-wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Gauteng province being the current epicenter for the disease. We see numerous reports in
the media that our hospitals are full, medical staff are struggling and that resources may run low. We have also learnt from WHO reports that we are facing the rapid spread of the Delta-variant of the virus and will perhaps soon see increases in the Lambda variant. Since the start of this global pandemic, we have been given countless reminders and instruction to keep our
distances, to stay masked, to sanitize regularly, not to touch our eyes, mouths, or faces in general, and many other iterations of these. The initial impact of these reminders can be quite effective under normal circumstances; however we are now facing a newer challenge with potentially serious consequences: Caution fatigue