6 Post-COVID Behaviours That I Can’t Believe We Didn’t Do Earlier
Together let’s keep going and stay safe.
Remember those innocent days when we laughed at people bumping elbows and hadn’t yet heard of Zoom?
As Australia started its battle against COVID-19, the thought of staying at home and not touching anyone seemed almost impossible. Cut to 2021 and it’s kinda just an average day.
This was a brutal transition. No part of it has been easy. But after almost a year of constant change, some of the small everyday behaviours that once seemed impossible and goofy have become… weirdly normal. It’s almost wild we didn’t do some of them before.
Keeping A Polite Distance
Staying physically distant from friends and family is incredibly difficult. But staying physically distant from strangers? I don’t hate it.
People are no longer sweating all over each other on public transport. They’re leaving a seat or two free in between each person, or maybe even hanging back to catch the next bus or train if it’s crowded. People aren’t breathing down your neck while in line for drinks at a busy bar. And, if they are, they should be wearing a mask so you can’t feel it anyway.
Keeping 1.5 metres away from people unless otherwise invited is generally a great rule of thumb tbh. I simply cannot believe that I used to tolerate strangers — work acquaintances, friends of friends’ boyfriends, random over-friendly strangers — thrusting their faces into my personal space and getting way too close for comfort. Eurgh.
Washing Our Hands Properly
I know we’ve always washed our hands. But have we always washed our hands properly? Like, properly properly. We’re talking a full 20 seconds, including that sideways move that looks like you’re trying to unscrew your thumb.
There’s a good reason why every major health organisation rushed to share detailed information about how to wash your hands at the start of this thing. It may have instantly become a meme, but you have to admit it’s a handy one.
Embracing The Park
The park has always been great, but in 2020 it became everything. During lockdown, it was our backyard and our gym and our only place to socialise IRL. Later in the year, it was the hottest events venue in town.
The park is still one of the best places to meet up or host a gathering this summer. Outdoor events are generally safer as there’s a much lower risk of COVID-19 transmission — and they’re wallet-friendly too. With BYO food and drinks, a park hang is infinitely cheaper than the average sesh at the pub.
Working From Home
It’s wild that it took a global pandemic for people and businesses to really embrace working remotely, but here we are! If you’re lucky enough to have the option, working from home is one of the best ways you can help stop the spread of COVID.
Yeah, the endless Zoom calls can suck and you’ll probably start wearing pyjama pants and shirts that look like large sacks, but it has its perks, too. There’s no commute time and it makes jobs more accessible for people who live in remote areas and/or have mobility issues.
It’s also way better now that we’ve all figured out how to unmute ourselves in meetings.
Looking Out For Our Neighbours
Remember the wholesome energy of that first lockdown? It was all about baking bread and getting veggie boxes, sharing resources and checking in on your elderly neighbours. Obviously, it was also tinged with panic and abject terror but, still, it had its perks.
A renewed sense of local community was one of the best things to come out of 2020, and that’s worth carrying over into 2021. Keep an eye out for your neighbours and stop for a (socially distanced) chat when you can. They might still need a helping hand from time to time.
Staying Home When You’re Sick
You should stay home when you’re sick. It seems obvious. But we all occasionally ignored this advice in the ‘Before Times’.
People would rock up to work and ~power through it~ or stand on the edge of a busy dancefloor sniffling and sneezing all night. I once did a New York City bus tour while coming down with the flu, hopping on and off at busy tourist sites, desperately sweating on everything in reach. It was careless then, and it’s completely nauseating now.
These days, you should get a COVID-19 test at the first hint of any symptoms and stay home until you get your results. The timing might be annoying. You might miss a party or two. But — in the best way possible — your friends will thank you for doing it.
This article originally appeared on Junkee.
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Be a COVIDLegend. Together let’s keep going and stay safe. For information visit health.gov.au