EDITORAL

For the luckiest of us, it has been almost a year since we have been able to comfortably travel for leisure. Some have been unable to travel for several years or might never have left the island and made big plans to venture overseas in 2020 which were ruined by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Travelling became a huge health risk as it was unclear how far the virus could spread in an enclosed airplane with recycled air. Airlines have since then made every effort to limit the spread of the virus during travel by requiring masks to be worn while on board, limiting food and beverage services, and providing enhanced cleaning for airplanes while using the highest quality air filters in their vents.

Travelling also requires Covid-19 testing and lengthy quarantine periods. The pandemic has totally shut down the cruise industry with huge cruise companies like Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean having to quickly halt cruises when positive cases began to appear in staff and passengers. Although the Cruise tourism industry tried its best to continue functions and create safe cruises with mandatory quarantine periods and social distancing, they were unable to perfect a formula for this and most companies have had to cancel cruises until at least May of this year. This created eerie scenes of massive, empty cruise liners floating in groups with no bikini-clad tourists in sight. For some cruise lovers, it was a sad experience. Here in Barbados many such ships stayed in our waters for weeks at a time and could be admired from Trevor’s Way in the City. Those ships at least still were home to crew members and would move around from time to time giving people on the shore a show.

Impact of burnout

Travelling is one of few activities that can lessen the impact of burnout and it is clear that burnout is being experienced by many at this time. Teachers specifically have been crying out for a break from the heavy workload of preparing for classes, planning assessments, and being online for hours each day, interacting with students who may be just as exhausted and even more so; disinterested. Other workers who are lucky enough to still have jobs are constantly working, even working longer hours if working remotely. The Mayo Clinic defines burnout as a form of work-related stress, a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. Quick leisure trips allow for an opportunity to detach from the job and finally unwind allowing for a refreshing change of scenery and a break from a monotonous

routine.

Now that the world has changed in a way that limits travel opportunities persons must find other ways to eliminate work burnout so that they can be the best version of themselves.

It is hoped that there is some light at the end of the tunnel for a return to normal activity now that vaccines are becoming available all over the world. When it is becomes possible, start saving up for your trip, it is sure to be worth the sacrifice.