When we’re finally allowed out, will we be?
- The perfectly crafted wine, or,
- The food we left in the fridge for over a month in that tupperware in the back?
Considering this uncharted territory, our inner human nature could easily send us in one direction or another. Will we gain or lose 15lbs? Will we learn how to speak another language, write that song, clean out the storage space, etc., like we’ve always wanted to? Or will we, having been required to retreat from normal life, become totally introspective?
How we use the time that’s been offered to us, is up to us.
COVID-19 Release
We’re almost there. Kinda, but not really, right?
In a short amount of time we’ll be free to go to different places again.
But it will be different. Our “release” as we’ve been told, will be phased for starters. There will be masks to wear and continued social distancing.
Fortunately we’re close to summer, so we will be able to go outside more. We’ll still need to take things slower than we’re used to.
The big thing to keep in mind is that everyone is going to want to move around. And most likely, all at the same time.
What Should We Expect?
We should still expect crowd restrictions. No more big crowds for a while. No movie theatres, maybe no fairs this year, and no major concerts. Indoor coffee houses and bands will be on hiatus until this blows over.
Outdoor concerts where people can effectively spread out may actually work. And check this out – Yankee Stadium is in the process of being retrofitted into a drive-in concert and movie venue!
One unexpected resurrection? Due to the crowd restrictions, drive-In movies will be making a come back! Just when everyone thought they were a thing of the past, they’ve already made a resurgence. Whether temporary or permanent, it’ll help us social distance and still allow us to watch that cool movie.
Don’t be surprised if wait lines are still occurring. Saturday mornings at the grocery store used to be a mad house. They’ll still be a mad house, except now there’ll likely be a good sized line down the street.
Places like restaurants are likely to have less people inside. Your first thought is that this is kind of cool. That is, until you realize that they only take reservations, and they’re 4 weeks out.
Used to hanging out at the community pool all summer long? That protocol will have to be worked out as well.
We’ll be watched. Not quite like in 1984 mind you. More like store owners paying attention to mask usage and proximities so they don’t get into trouble.
Bottom Line?
Better get used to the basics. Even though it’s been over 100 years since the last time this happened, that doesn’t mean it can’t happen again in our lifetime.
So we’re now needing to embrace the “new normal”. It’s been used so much in the last couple of months it doesn’t feel new anymore does it?