Life feels stagnant and unfair. Lockdown where I live seems never ending. I was out jogging two days ago, when a friend shouted my name from across the street and that little gesture made my week.
I, like most people, long for human contact and experiences that don’t involve me always having to be on guard to keep my two-metre distance from people.
COVID-19 is exhausting and for those whom it hasn’t affected in some way or the other, I guess they still view it is an indirect threat since they have made this far without contracting it. Depending on your local guidelines, it can become socially acceptable to let your guard down. Constantly seeing pictures posted online from gatherings and social events makes it seem that it may not be that serious. I think of all the ways the guidelines have changed over the months, how COVID has been politicized with some even calling it a hoax, how mask wearing was first not advised because it seemed counterproductive and how we have subscribed to much tracking and data sharing so as to keep people safe. I reflect on the psychological impact this has on human behaviour and how perceived vigilance can impact those around us.
This week to gain entrance into stores here, you had to book an appointment. While they are relatively straightforward and hassle free and life is gradually moving on, restrictions are a common reminder that this is not over. Even though deaths and case numbers are rising in Guyana, enforcement feels like a long shot and fright behind the pandemic has disappeared.
Pandemic posers and posters
Most of us may have probably developed a social bubble but even with social bubbles nothing is really guaranteed particularly now since new COVID variants are popping up. If you must have your social bubble gatherings keep them off social media. Pictures can tell a thousand words and in the midst of a global pandemic no one will read into it and say they are all probably only meeting each other but rather, people are meeting while they are at home trying to minimize the spread. It breaks the social contract between citizens. It also influences carelessness.
Mask shame
Sometimes I tend to keep my mask on even when I am on an empty street walking home from the city. I have become comfortable with it. When I forget to put on – and this is rare – I feel guilt, because the majority of people around me are always doing their part. I can’t begin to imagine the isolation people feel when they are alone in protecting themselves, it can make you feel as if you are overreacting. Wear your masks even if you are the only one in the room doing so. Wear your mask even if you have had COVID and are fully recovered or have had your vaccine. None of these things assure you will not be infected again. The basic guidelines around this virus have not changed. Masks will be with us for a long time.
Our individual behaviour affects and influences those around us more than we can imagine. We may take some time to get this pandemic fully under control but the least we can do is try to influence each other in the best way possible.
