Will we ever get back to normal?
 

This breaks my heart

When The World Stopped - Stunning Scenes From A Global Lockdown | Zero Hedge

the scene of the the Arc de Triomphe and an empty Champs Elysees.

As an avid cyclist, anticipating this year's Tour de France, which probably won't be held, this scene is troubling.

Cyclist or not, you must visit this venue once in your life. So full of majesty and history.

Not the normal we knew 8 weeks ago..Social interactions will be dramatically altered for the foreseeable future

I remember my grand parents reaction to the post depression age, my parents reaction to the post WWII age. It changed their lives. I suspect we will see lasting impacts on behavior from this, especially if it returns in the fall and may take a generation to move on.

We have learned that it’s okay not to live in a whirlwind of fake activity spent with people we barely know

:popcorn:

Enjoy your popcorn

I like you DianeM. You seem like a real pistol and not afraid to voice an opinion. Still waiting for the fireworks though...:popcorn:

Thank you. Just stating reality. Fireworks - big deal.

Sure, the lesson could be don't do it if your heart's not in it, but for a lot of us, perhaps the majority, we come to the Villages to engage in cheesy activities with people we barely know.

Now it remains to be seen just how viable TV's 3000 or so clubs will be after this storm. I think attendance will be cut by half on average for just about all activities until we have a vaccine or effective treatment. Could be a good thing. What do you all think?

Good post. Thanks OP.

What I was trying to say - which did not come out properly - is that with having had so much private time, we will have learned to entertain ourselves.

Yeah that definitely didn't come out even close to how you say it in the second post. The first post "sounded" like 100% pure unfiltered snark and condescension against a pretty significant demographic of the community, who moved here BECAUSE it was a beautiful facade where they could mingle with people they barely knew.

The second one sounds less like a vicious attack, and more like a reasonable consideration of your perception of facts.

I'd suggest too, that some of us are (more or less) homebodies already, and have little trouble keeping ourselves entertained. There's definitely a segment of the population that thrives on group activity though. Hopefully they'll learn to adjust, and learn to sincerely enjoy the quiet activities of home life.

The masters already got canceled, as an avid golfer, bike rider, and swimmer, this really Suc$s. Oh well, the new normal will eventually return!

I’m an only child. I’ve always known how to entertain myself from childhood. I have very little need of the outside world and distrust most of the people in it. Most will screw you as fast as look at you. Worked forever (just like most) and more than happy to stay in. Not having any problem with staying home though I do miss the freedom to go to places currently closed.

I have a sibling but I was an awkward kid and somewhat of a bookworm growing up. Did the summer camp thing, had a love-hate relationship with it. Loved the camp, hated my fellow campers. I like being outdoors - but more by myself, than in social situations. That's why I like riding my bike and walking. I don't feel obligated to be in anyone else's company.

But, like you, it's nice to know company is available. Enjoying solitude isn't the same as forced isolation.

Always hated the great outdoors and still do. I had to quit Girl Scouts because our troop leader insisted I had to go camping in a tent no less. Wasn’t ever going to happen. There are bugs and creepy things out there. LOL.

Masters
 

The Masters was not canceled, just postponed until November. 3 Majors and the Ryder Cup all between August and November. Fall golf will be great!!

Groceries still come to the front door, eating out is the same, Amazon still stops by every week.

The only thing that changed is my 6 week vaca is now at 8 weeks and counting. It’s Groundhog Day, over, and over, and over.

We can and will get back to normal, but a "revised normal". All of the problems with the Covid-19 outbreak is a reminder of what our ancestors lived with in World Wars I and II. They lived through a much worse and much longer saga of adjustment and then recovery.

Can you also imagine the horror of the Black Plague? Science and understanding of virus, bacteria, and disease were not even remotely developed!

We will get through this, but no one will forget it.

The only thing constant in life is change....we'll evolve to a 'new normal'

most of us will adapt, move on and experience joy...those that don't/won't will endure a different life

Why should the segment of the population that "thrives on group activity" have to adjust and learn to enjoy the quiet activities? Everyone should embrace what keeps them alive and not have to adjust to the standards of others.

This is the biggest wake up call of our generation......... I hope folk think about it, deal with it, be safe from it, and above all learn from it.

Does this isolation have to do with people who are their own best friend faring better than those that seek out others to complete their existence?

That's a bit harsh. I have made a lot of good friends through the various clubs and activities here in The Villages. I wouldn't categorize many of the them as people that I barely know.

We all barely knew everyone in our lives at some point. We had to get to know them. And how is it "fake" activity? I'm sure that an activity can be fake.

That has to be the quote of the day. So true.

Read my follow up post

Where are you getting this information? I thought the consensus was that the opposite is true.

Or do you mean it's healthier to be alright with solitude when appropriate rather than always "needing" to associate with other(s)? I think the best approach is a balance between enjoying solitude but also taking advantage of the benefits of community.

Does the common flu keep you in? It is estimated that 28,000 to 60,000 people in the US die from it every year. Those numbers should also indicate how accurate estimates are. About 40,000 people die in car accidents every year and nobody blinks. I will be glad to have my freedom back to do as I please.

I take your point but it's worth mentioning that social activities, even cheesy ones, are closely correlated with longevity, personal growth, and often some unexpected fun.

So true! Time to get back to our roots and spending time with people who really matter to us. ❤️

i am agreed the human kind will be different

This hasn't been easy for an extrovert. I miss getting out and talking to different people. I'm afraid "normal" is still a ways off. We are flattening the curve, not eliminating it.

wow, i was waiting for a post like yours, lol. i've always done my own thing, & for what it's worth, we've been on lockdown about a month now, & i've had enough of it. i decided on my own the 'quarantine' is over, & now go about my day as normally as possible like before. there is such a thing as overkill, imo. & if someone wants to stay locked in, go ahead, power to you, but i've re-joined the living :ho:

I seriously doubt there will be any noticeable change from what it was before. What changes were there after the all thepast flu outbreaks, none.

There will not be a real opportunity to trend back toward "normal" until there is a vaccine. Then it will be no more or less a problem than the annual flu season.

Like the flu there will be significant loss of life....which has become acceptable for life to go on.

Then when people feel at least as safe as before the pandemic, life will get back to what it was before.

It remains to be seen if we have learned anything at all.

If you refuse to take precautions, then you will be most likely exposed to the virus. As someone who works with the public serving people like you, I will ask, as politely as possible (which isn't all that politely) to keep your distance from me. As far as you can keep. Miles, in fact. Maybe states. Or perhaps to some deserted island where there is ZERO chance of your germs getting within breathing distance of anyone who might be in contact with anyone who is in contact with the air I breathe at my job.

You don't need to be concerned about YOUR own health. It's not required. But our state's rules say you DO have to take precautions for MY sake. If you're not willing to do that, then find some place that doesn't have those restrictions.

Okay that’s great. Mind sharing where your land of the living is since everything is shut down tight and also to ensure that I don’t have to deal with your headstrong selfishness and possible contagion.

It has sure made me think about what I am doing with my retirement years. I could go back to just having a good time, or perhaps spend more of my time in activities that are geared toward helping others. I intend to try and do the latter, I pray I do. Maybe that’s what we’re supposed to learn from things like this.

what i mean is this: if i feel like going out, even to take the dog for a ride, i'm doing it. no, i'm not unfeeling & respect your limits, so i will stay far away from you, the full 12 feet. but i refuse to completely shut down & blindly follow what 'experts' are saying, because they are only relying on models, which are changing by the day. so it's ok, i'll wave to you from afar while enjoying the fresh air & sunshine

No one ever said you had to stay locked in the house 24/7/365. Of course you can walk the dog and be on your lanai. You made it sound as if you were out and about like pre virus.