Vaccines are rolling out, guidelines are being revisited, and something like “normal” seeems like it might be headed our way. I have been thinking about what life will look like in this new normal, and as a follow-up to my last blog about a post-COVID-19 professional world, what will the world look like when it comes to our personal relationships and interactions?
No more looking over the shoulder?
If you ever had small get-togethers during the COVID-19 pandemic, you might have had to send a COVID-19 warning text later in the week. It typically goes something like this:
“Hey, I just wanted to let you know my (roommate, brother, parent, etc.) just let me know that they haven’t been feeling well and are getting a COVID test. As soon as I hear back, I’ll let you know more. I’m so sorry!”
It has never been a fun message to send, but it’s the right thing to do. Luckily for me, none of my worst fears ever came true after sending these messages. Hopefully now that the world is getting back to what we were accustomed to, we don’t have to worry about sending those texts anymore.
Masks more common?
In many other countries, whenever someone is feeling unwell that person wears a mask to be considerate for others. My hope is that this is a habit that will be adopted in the United States. Maybe I’m being too hopeful, with how politicized mask-wearing has become in America. But at least for me, I plan to wear a mask when I’m feeling under the weather (whether it’s related to COVID-19 or another illness).
It’s a little crowded.
Stadiums are going back to full capacity, concert tours are starting to get back on track, and, as mentioned multiple times above, things are getting back to normal.
Even before the pandemic, I’ve never been a huge fan of big crowds (except when the Nationals won the world series). As many of you can probably relate to, throwing in the experience of the pandemic along with an already stressful environment means that crowds are going to be interesting.
On one hand, I personally won’t feel fully comfortable at large events, but on the other hand I miss the camaraderie that happens when you hug all the strangers around you to celebrate your team winning.
Conclusion
There are some things that we adapted with the pandemic that I hope stays around: QR code convenience, wearing a mask when you’re sick, and more hand sanitizer stations. There is a lot that we don’t know, but one thing I am certain of is that social interactions in a post-COVID-19 world are going to be peculiar and take some time to adjust to.