My first social gather post-vaccination
Thoughts from a public health graduate
As a soon do be graduate of a top public health program, I am intensely aware of COVID-19 guidelines. Being from Michigan, living in Georgia, I watch twice as many press briefings as the average American, have meticulously read the mountains of CDC guidelines (some several times over), and swear by wearing my mask.
I believe in the power of public health and its ability to save lives, shutdowns and all. However, vaccinations bring a new twist. With my recent 2nd shot of the Moderna vaccine and data suggesting it is relatively safe to socialize with other, vaccinated, people without masks, I was cautiously optimistic.
For a year, we touted the promise of a “new normal” but what did this actually look like?
For a 20-something student living in Atlanta, my first experience with the new normal was a rooftop pool party. Not how I imagined my first introduction to this rebirth of socialization, but we all have to start somewhere. For a year, we touted the promise of a “new normal” but what did this actually look like?
On the ride to the event (in an Uber, wearing a mask, hand sanitizer at the ready), I experienced a mix of emotions. There was excitement. Excitement of the beginning of something new, the start of a new journey people around the world will have to take at their own pace. There was also a hint of relief; the quintessential light at the end of the tunnel was beginning to shine a bit brighter.
Zoomed ruined my sense of height.
Conversely, there was a familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach, a sort of déjà vu. One I would equate to the butterflies from a first date. Not only has there been a year long back-and-forth in anticipation for this day, but there was the lingering thought that this might not work out in the long run. A “hope for the best, plan for the worst” mentality as the United States flirts with opening businesses and public areas to pre-pandemic levels.
A funny, first thought of seeing a group of 15, vaccinated, people standing in a group was an odd one; Zoom ruined my sense of height.
That small box on Zoom, Microsoft teams, or Facetime does not give any hints as to how tall people are. It has been a year since I’ve had to look up or down to speak to another human. To have to turn around to respond to my name being called, to not have to scramble for my mouse to click unmute to speak up.
The differences in the rules of the in-person vs. online social games were immediately clear to me, and took some getting used to, but came back like riding a bike: shaky but forward.
I missed smiles.
What was it like to interact without masks?
A world behind masks has been a necessary change in our lives. Countless lives have been saved, but undoubtedly the quality of those lives have been mediocre. Seeing complete smiles and facial features was a complete game changer. I missed smiles. Communication flourished in a way that video calls have not even come close to emulating, irrespective of its latest advances.
Seemingly ancient but fundamental forms of communication, such as body language, found their way into the light, amplifying conversations and complimenting our self-expression. We have been deprived of such basic human natures for so long due to the virus, but in this moment, I feel a sense of relief.
So what does the new normal look like? Well, our new normal will look quit similar to the old normal, only a bit better. We have been through a crucible, and through such we know were we need to go to move past this, through the dark tunnel and into a new light. We deserve to experience a new beginning, filled with mixed emotions, butterflies, and hope.
Together, we will get there, soon.
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