What are the nine activities that before the pandemic were not scary and now

A year ago social activities were different. There were no masks, alcohol gel, disinfectant tunnels and far from it, the transmission of the coronavirus in the world. Today, after more than 365 days of declaration of a pandemic, the virus, which has mutated in more than 200 countries, has prompted people to adopt safety and health measures.

To move forward with vaccination around the world, and with the hope of gradually returning to the previous life, What activities were not scary to do before COVID-19 and now they are.

Contact lenses

In many countries there was and there is total containments, and the unique eye contact is made between household members, or those who are essential workers, their contacts are the bubbles with which they are seen on a daily basis.

Jane Webber, assistant professor of educational counseling and doctoral program coordinator at Kean University of New Jersey, said: “In a future without a mask, you might want to look down because you’re scared. Usually just eye contact and a little smile. Fill people with a really nice feeling. They will reflect what you are doing. “

Surround yourself with crowds

Before the pandemic, crowds of people crowded into bars, restaurants and plazas were commonplace. Now it’s one in a million, since The legal social distance of 1.5 meters between the person and the person or the tables must be respected to avoid massive contagions.

Webber, as a specialist, suggests that if you panic, you should focus on your breathing and tell yourself, “I’ll be fine in a few minutes. Slowly move through the crowd and to the edges until you find space. “

Shake hands and hug

These are two actions of the past. Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recommended to break with this old cultural norm, Because when social gatherings start to get more frequent, the hand shake seed factor is high.

“If you’re feeling anxious right now, shaking or banging your elbows is fine,” Webber said. For many people, hugging today is scary. However, after a year of physical distancing and without contact with each other, people have become “hungry for connection”.

Have a meeting

Today, having a date is very different. Although they suggest outdoor spaces for having gatherings to meet a couple, or going out with friends, also due to the mandatory quarantines, the virtual appointments via video calls. Virtuals, there is no risk of contagion and they are done 100% via screens.

Start a relationship

Has this person been vaccinated? What do you think of the COVID-19 vaccine and masks? How did he behave during the pandemic? Will it be asymptomatic? These are some of the questions many ask themselves today before starting a post-pandemic relationship.

When you start a relationship, you both agree on the level of risk, the precautions to be taken, and the acceptable risks. Both people know the precautions they took before, during and now in the pandemic, but if one disagrees, putting their health at risk, they can talk about it and be honest with the other. so as not to expose yourself.

Sharing public spaces

This usually happens with open spaces where there are places to share with other people, for example in places and benches are shared. Many people tend to sit without keeping their distance and for those who are afraid of contagion, this situation makes them uncomfortable.

When faced with this situation, Bufka recommends telling people to distance themselves or let them know about your concerns.

Go to salon or spa

They were closed for a long time without being able to work. Many have reinvented themselves by selling kits to become their own at-home hairdresser and thus survive the mandatory quarantines. Others had to close. Then at the time of qualification, they opened but with protocols and precautions to protect the safety of those who work and clients who visit beauty centers.

Share objects

Handling objects today can become an uncomfortable situation. Everything has changed since the appearance of COVID-19. Jacqueline Gollan, psychiatrist and professor of behavioral sciences, recommends: “Take small steps to control your anxiety, socialize, and mitigate the real risk.”

“You can have hand sanitizer and masks available for these situations. If you can’t reduce your anxiety, see if you can change your negative predictions by bringing your anxiety to justice. Evaluate the data that suggests if you have a high probability of getting sick from getting vaccinated, ”he added.

Back to office

The coronavirus pandemic implemented 100% home office in almost every job. The exploitation of remote work from the comfort of home is one of the “new standards” to which society must adapt. Thus, many contagions and massive contacts with people were avoided.

However, over time, the return to the office was imminent. Ravi S. Gajendran, Chairman of the Department of Global Management and Leadership at Florida International University, said: “Upon his return to the office, what can be scarier is the loss of control over your routine and that health bubble. You may not be used to ironing your clothes, being visible under your shoulders, and interacting in person anymore. “

“What you can do is accept that the transition can be scary, disruptive, and slow. Focus on preparing for what you can control, this includes wearing hand sanitizer and wearing a mask ”.

Finally, Kristen Shockley, associate professor of psychology at the University of Georgia, adds that office work will likely be different from what it was before the pandemic, as some companies have implemented seat changes or apps for record the symptoms of COVID.

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