Summary

The website content reflects on the positive societal changes and personal conveniences that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting a silver lining to the global crisis.

Abstract

The article "Thanks, COVID" acknowledges the devastating impact of the pandemic but chooses to focus on the unexpected benefits that have arisen from the situation. It highlights the convenience of food deliveries, which have become more streamlined with the option to leave orders at the door, eliminating awkward interactions. The author appreciates the increased table spacing in restaurants, making dining out more comfortable. Personal shopping services have also gained popularity, allowing consumers to shop from home and have items delivered to their vehicles. Social distancing is seen as a new social norm that could have long-term benefits in reducing the spread of diseases. The pandemic has provided an abundance of leisure time, which many have used to engage in entertainment and personal development. Lastly, the author encourages readers to cherish life and the newfound appreciations that have come from this challenging period.

Opinions

The author expresses gratitude for the reduction of awkward social interactions during food deliveries, thanks to the 'leave at door' option.
Restaurant table spacing is praised for improving the dining experience by providing more privacy and comfort.
The shift towards personal shopping services is seen as a positive change, offering convenience and efficiency.
Social distancing is viewed as a beneficial practice for personal space and public health beyond the pandemic.
The increase in leisure time due to lockdowns and restrictions is appreciated for allowing people to explore various forms of entertainment and self-improvement.
The article emphasizes the importance of appreciating life and the lessons learned during the pandemic, suggesting that these should not be taken for granted.

Thanks, COVID

The best things we as a society should keep after this is all over

We all are going to remember 2020 as the year that disease killed a whole lot of people. The year that everyone told us to stay indoors and wear a mask every time we stepped outside. The same year where we started fearing our family, neighbors, and friends.

COVID brought a lot of negative things to this world. Thanks, COVID.

Yet, here we are presented with a unique situation where you can either relish in the negative or seek out the good. Here is my list of all the best things I think have come out of the COVID epidemic.

Food Deliveries

Lately, there’s nothing I like better than ordering in food and having the delivery driver drop it off on the front step and walk away. Thanks, COVID. For eliminating that awkward conversation at the doorway.

Did I tip enough? Will I knock the pizza boxes out of his hand with the door? Is the tip even included within the total? Does the person look like a Batman villian?

All of these stress-inducing moments are now fixed by a simple instruction to “leave at door”. I’m not sure why this wasn’t more of a thing before 2020 even started. Just drop the food, ring the bell, and leave.

Restaurant Table Spacing

This is exactly how dining out should be. I’m already paying you a premium by sitting down at your restaurant and ordering off the menu. I shouldn’t have to worry about sliding the back of my char into another or doing that awkward sideways walk between two tables.

Thanks, Covid, for eliminating the possibility of everyone accidentally thrusting their privates into people's faces while doing the sideways table dance.

While we're on the restaurant topic, a little bonus item here. With the fear of germ spread hot on people’s minds I’ve noticed a lot more table service point of sale systems.

I really love it that my debit card doesn’t walk away in the hands of the highschooler that lives down the road. Thanks, COVID.

Personal Shoppers

You all know where I’m going with this one. It’s closely related to it’s lazier brother, food delivery services. The fact that you can grocery shop from your residence while looking in the cupboards should be enough to change every ones mind. Never forget what you needed at the store ever again

But let’s not stop there, we can take it further.

I pull up, wait in a spot, send a few text messages, and my groceries are magically delivered into the back of my vehicle. I don’t even need to get out. Not having to step foot in a grocery store is a blessing I didn’t know I wanted. Needed even, thankfully it’s now a requirement.

Social Distancing

Let’s just chalk this one up to being a good citizen of Earth. There are very few people in my life that I actually want up in my face.

Think of social distancing as another circle of friendship. You have unknown strangers way on the outside, acquaintances a little closer, real friends right up close, then the coveted lover’s inner circle. A topic for a drastically different more sultry article later I suppose.

Plus, this feels like a bonus in 2020. Social distance will also pay dividends years later when flu season comes around every winter. We’re already conditioned and aware enough to take specific disease precautions. We should probably not forget about them after we ring in the new year.

Entertainment Time

Also referred to as “playing too many videogames”. This is my favorite item of the entire story. The massive amount of time we were given to sit around and consume media sources will probably go unrivaled for years to come.

Complete a new video game. Binge watch Game of Thrones. Watch all the old cartoons on Disney+. Read a dozen books. Write 15 medium posts.

Earlier this year I only did a few of these and you can’t make me tell you which. The point is that we’ve been given a blank check to sit at home and do what your heart desires. Some of us stayed home and played videogames all day.

New Appreciations

It’s about time we wrap this story up but not before we bring it all back down to Earth. You know, that rotating planet that houses the most intelligent species ever discovered.

Whatever you did, didn’t do, still want to do, with the hopefully disease-free time you’ve been given don’t take it for granted.

Life has a weird way of never staying the same for too long. Change is always on the horizon

Hopefully, we all walk away from the year of the COVID with some newfound appreciation, some new skills, and a finer appreciation of the thing we all take for granted.

Life.