Life has changed for many over the past three years due to the Covid Pandemic.
Almost overnight, the world came to a standstill. To keep ourselves, and our loved ones safe, we stayed in and did not socialize or see others outside our homes. The streets were bare. The only interaction we had was the quick hello to those who we saw from a distance while out walking.
Businesses closed down and many people lost their jobs and some their homes. Many companies were fortunate enough to be deemed mandatory and had no disruption of work or income. It was scary for those who still had to go in to work. We knew very little about the virus.
Isolation and loneliness became a big issue for many, especially seniors and those who lived alone. Our youth felt the isolation too. Hanging out with their friends was not encouraged.
We missed our friends and our family members who did not live with us. Birthdays and Christmas's passed. Parents missed hugs from their children and missed months of seeing their grandchildren growing up. Most of us could video chat, but the overwhelming increase in internet activity made it slow and glitchy. Online hugs and kisses are not the same as real ones. Long drives were made for a glance at our loved ones. However they were usually short, as being outside in the cold with no bathrooms was not ideal.
Exercise facilities such as gyms and pools closed and many of us gained a few pounds. Recreational sports also stopped, so did the social interaction they provide for both adults and children.
Parents who had to go to work struggled to find daycare for their children when schools were closed down. Those who had to work at home suddenly had to juggle working and educating their children at the same time. Finding space for everyone in the same house to study and work or just having alone time became an issue. Tensions increased in relationships and many families did not survive.
Children and young people attending schools had to say goodbye to friends. Those who had been in residence at college or university had to suddenly pack up and move home. They had no idea if or when they would be back to see their friends. Many students struggled with online learning and began to second guess their educational choice. Learning delays were seen in young children due to lack of social interaction.
Antidepressant use increased drastically for both adults and children who struggled with anxiety and sadness from the loss of interaction with their friends, family and the world.
The vaccine came.
It was scary to take something new that had no long history of testing or studies on possible side effects. We took the shot. We wanted our lives to get back to normal. The waves kept coming and the fear continued. Summers and the warmer weather allowed us to have more time together outdoors, visiting with those we missed. The warm days were few and the colder weather came again. We got the booster and isolated again. This time we could pick a group of people we wanted to hang with, but only them.
As the waves continued, the restrictions continued and the separation continued. Many different reactions and opinions were expressed regarding the pandemic as well as the vaccine. Everyone had their reasons for what they believed and we had to respect them.
Booster time, shot number three.
After three years, we are allowed to gather. The masks came off and the smiles we had missed so dearly are revealed. There are still some who choose to isolate for health reasons, and we wait for the day we can hug them and let them know how much we missed them. It seems like a lifetime.
We get to fly and after three long years I got to hug my mom. ♥
The pandemic brought loss, fear, sadness and divided friends and families. But it also brought about some positive changes as we all re-evaluated what was important to us.
Many of us realized we could do the same job from home. With the drastic cost increase in gas over the past year, this was beneficial. Choosing to work remotely also allowed us to protect our loved ones by limiting our interaction with others in the work place.
Many people chose to move out of crammed condos in the city and buy houses in rural areas outside the city as they realized they could work anywhere. Job changes occurred as some occupations closed down, leaving people to rethink career choices.
When covid began, there was panic as people feared supply shortages. However, within our community, we saw people sharing and caring for each other. They would make sure their neighbours got what they needed.
Spending more time at home also made many realize they needed to downsize or declutter, something they may have been putting off for years.
The separation from loved ones made us all realize how previous time is and how much our families mean to us. Extra care was always sent to all so that they would stay safe, happy and healthy.
When covid began, I wrote a message for my family..."If I die from Covid". I am thankful they never had to read it. Not everyone was so lucky.
I know the virus will probably be with us a long time. We will see waves and take greater precautions again during the winter months, like we do with the flu. I hope the love and care for each other continues and that the sadness of separation from family ends soon.
We all work hard to find a way to move on. The world as we knew it has changed.
Above all... hug those you love while you can!
*This is my personal opinion of Covid
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