Empty streets and quiet cities...
"...They wish, as any sane person does, that the pandemic had never happened. They hate what it did to this country, to this world, and to many aspects of their own lives and the lives of loved ones.
But its brutal winnowing of their social obligations and commitments beyond the home? They actually didn’t mind this, at least not so much. Their movements had grown hectic and their schedules overstuffed.
The way in which shuttered schools, canceled extracurricular activities, and closed offices compelled them and their children to spend more time together? There was stress in this, often proportional to a home’s square footage, but there was also intimacy. They liked how many nights everyone ate dinner together.
The halt to commuting? That was all upside and, along with the cessation of business travel, it produced a revelation: In-person meetings and the logistics that went into them weren’t as necessary as everyone thought. There were cheaper and easier alternatives."
I know the above is true with the attitudes of my two adult children and their families. Americans live a rushed and career-oriented life. We are often amazed that Europeans do not care so much about their jobs and are not afraid to take long vacations. Maybe this pandemic will reset our Puritan work ethic problem!
I certainly hope so. I know Europeans have more leisure time than us Americans who often have jobs where their boss thinks they should be on call 24/7, even on the paltry vacations they get. life was too hectic here before covid. it doesn't need to be that complex. every minute does not have to be filled with activity.
ReplyDeleteMany of those European have a version of socialist democracy, not socialism, but a different outlook on societal 'safety nets'...paid leave, sick leave, parental leave for both women and men after births. With the US's version of top down capitalism, it's unlikely that the system is going to change. We have moved in the opposite direction of having labor unions, and any government regulation of business, and 'safety nets'.
ReplyDeleteI still miss gathering with my hiking friends, although I can still get together with a small number. And I miss my frequent restaurant outings with other friends, who have fallen off the map for me. But then again, I've been retired for a decade. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how the world resets after this upheaval.
ReplyDeleteI know there are exceptions, especially for those living alone and/or in poor health, but on the whole I think this has been mostly an inconvenience. I wonder how we would react to great deprivation.
ReplyDeleteOne can hope for positive changes.
ReplyDeleteGreat post
The shut off to this and that worries will be missed.
I think for people who are still working this is true. However... for someone like me and other retired people, it's closed us in more when it would help to be able to see more people and socialize to keep spirits high. I'm looking forward to the end of the pandemic. I just wish everyone would cooperate to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteHistory shows that Pandemics change societies. It hastens some changes and does away with other long held beliefs. Plagues, black death, 1918 Flu, HIV/AIDS. COVID-19 will not be an exception to that rule. We are seeing some changes right now. Greater reliance on the on-line networks, rapid roll out of vaccines, big leap in mRNA knowledge and applications (Bio-tech). Changes in the service industry. All this and more coming in the future.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and son-in-law are here getting a place ready for storage of their items when they move here. It is their Spring Break and I cannot believe what work-horses they both are. They have kept their jobs and have work hard there and everywhere while I sit at my computer.
ReplyDeleteI really hope there isn't a mad rush to the previous normal. I want a better normal. What's the sense of having to endure a pandemic if we fail to learn something from it?
ReplyDeleteIt does seem here that we have leapt into the old-age-doctor's-appointment syndrome. For the next 4 days, I have at least two appointments a day. Grrr........
ReplyDeleteWe have gotten into such a retirement rut that three days of doctor's appointments totally whipped our butts. Maybe you can bring a sketch pad...you have such a talent. That might take you away!
DeleteAs I retired introvert these pandemic restrictions weren't that bad. My kids and grand kids are nearby and we were able to get together occasionally because we were all being cautious. But I know it is different for people who are more social than I am. It was also no picnic for those who still had to GO to work and be exposed while working, or those living in poverty in multigenerational homes with poor internet capability who had to find a way to educate their children, feed themselves, and try not to catch the virus and die.
ReplyDeleteI understand my privilege even more just thinking abut it.
I think the
The whole of culture that rushes to always make more money and afford more things might need a reset.
ReplyDeleteI believe many attitude have and will change because of what we've all been experiencing these past 12 months or so.
ReplyDeleteSome for the better, and I suppose, some not.
Take good care, Tabor. :)
I think a lot of things will be done differently after this is all over.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say whether it'll change things. Some suffered so much with their jobs shut down and no replacement possible. Children and those in school got hard hit. I was always an introvert; so I haven't been hurt by it as much as extroverts, who need people to get energy. And now I read that the vaccines we just got may be less effective as Covid-19- morphs. Joyness lol
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. Slowly life will move back into the old forms. If bosses move to curtail in person meetings, life will be better. Then again, I may be all wrong. G is an introvert, and after living with him all these years so am I.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if we all slowed down. I am rethinking what I will participate in once the pandemic is over. I will be very choosy.
ReplyDelete