Burned Out from Lingering Pandemic

For most who have lost a loved one to COVID-19, an emergency room filled with patients infected with the latest variant would likely be the last place they would want to be.

Yet this is where registered nurse, Nate Obakpolor of San Francisco, works despite losing his grandfather to the virus this past year.

Many medical workers like him are exhausted from working through the pandemic. With variants straining short-staffed facilities across the country, some on the front lines are experiencing added physical, mental and emotional stress.

“There’s more of an anxiety factor now,” relates Obakpolor. “You can’t see the virus. You don’t know where it was or where it could be.”

In the face of such anxiety, Obakpolor credits his faith with his ability to carry on in his work. He regularly reads the Bible and Bible-based publications to keep himself grounded. “I find that it’s practical for every aspect of my life,” he says.

American psychological and psychiatric associations, while not advocating or endorsing any specific religion, acknowledge the role spirituality and religious faith can play in coping with distress and trauma.

Lawrence Onoda, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Mission Hills, California, noted some ways spirituality can help, including giving people “a positive hope and meaning toward life, comfort by looking for answers and strength from a higher power, and a collective shared experience of support and community.”

When Obakpolor is not on the front lines of the pandemic, he finds comfort in his volunteer work as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. “I talk to others about the hope God provides in the Bible and why we can expect things to get better," Obakpolor says. “I feel like it really takes the stress away."

One of his favorite resources is the website jw.org, which features a collection of practical articles such as “How to Beat Pandemic Fatigue” and “How Can You Cope with Anxiety.”

“Whether it’s helping others at work or volunteering,” shares Obakpolor, “I take myself out of the picture and focus on others. That’s what makes me truly happy.”