As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, restrictions on gatherings and social distancing measures look set to continue into the foreseeable future. Cut off from most pre-pandemic activities, many of us are struggling to find ways to occupy our time and beat back the boredom. We’re simply bored of being bored.

More binge-watching of TV shows, more online shopping and obsessing over the latest pandemic news, including fake news, are just some of the ways we try to overcome the daily boredom of pandemic life. But rather than stimulating us, these activities can paradoxically leave us even more bored.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Julian Haladyn from OCAD University breaks down how prolonged pandemic isolation is creating the conditions for a more intense type of COVID-boredom.

Also today:

Regards,

Ibrahim Daair

Assistant Editor | Culture + Society
Life under COVID-19 restrictions means many of us are having to deal with the intense boredom of life being on pause. (Shutterstock)

Depressed or bored? How COVID-boredom intensifies the fear of missing out

Julian Jason Haladyn, OCAD University

As the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions and quarantines continues into their second year, more people are experiencing an acute form of COVID-boredom.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected travel, but the decision to fly south for the winter isn’t a simple one. (Shutterstock)

Why some snowbirds are flying south despite the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions

Valorie A. Crooks, Simon Fraser University; Jeremy Snyder, Simon Fraser University

The decision to go south for the winter during the ongoing pandemic is a complex one, informed by factors such as availability of recreational opportunities and cost of living.
People are celebrating getting the coronavirus vaccine by posting selfies online. (Shutterstock)

Posting COVID-19 vaccine selfies on social media can cause anger, frustration

Ben Huang, University of Toronto

Vaccine selfies are just the tip of the iceberg of doctor frustration over Canada's fragmented vaccine rollout.
Automated systems require knowledge, human supervision and intervention from the human operator whenever something goes wrong. (Pixabay)

COVID-19 has fuelled automation — but human involvement is still essential

Francesco Biondi, University of Windsor

Like other innovations borne out of challenging times in history, the push for more automation and tele-operation triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic must mean more efficient and safer workplaces.

La Conversation Canada
L'industrie du sondage est en crise. Elle a de la difficulté à prédire les intentions de vote et les comportements. Et c'est peut-être une bonne chose. Shutterstock

Les sondages ont souvent tort, et c’est tant mieux !

Mario Ionuț Maroșan, Université de Montréal

Le problème avec les sondages n’est pas qu’ils sont faux, mais qu’ils pourraient devenir vrais.

Culture + Society

  • Africa at the Football World Cup: 10 defining moments

    Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu, University of Texas at Tyler

    Will an African nation ever win the Football World Cup? Key moments in past tournaments offer hope -- and a warning that the continent needs to invest in the game.

COVID-19

Politics