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.