When Lockdown Ends, Who Will You Be?

Heads up, there will be judgment.

On my daily phone call with my father-in-law, we were discussing social distancing and the imminent return to normal society.

“People would be foolish to go to a restaurant or a ball game,” he said.

Huh.

I certainly don’t want to be called “foolish.” It made me wonder: Will I be judged for choices I make post-lockdown?

Or worse: Will I judge other people?

Prediction

Three types of personalities will emerge from this strange era we are living in:

1. The Let’s Party, I Deserve It

2. The Get Me Out of Here (But Stay Away)

3. The Oh Hell No — Ima Stay Right Here

Yes, this is a mere inconvenience for some. And, it has completely destroyed lives for others.

We are all experiencing something, but we’re not really in it together, as Reuben Salsa writes in his article “We’re All in This Together?”

He writes:

Are the super-rich, holed up in their bunker, really in it together? Is Gwyneth Paltrow really concerned for my well-being as her in-house chef whips up another batch of smashed avocado smoothie?

It’s time to debunk the myth.

Emotionally, this has affected us all in our own way. Even if you don’t seem to mind the isolation, the massive shift in society and loss of daily privileges has had an impact.

But, just how much?

Group #1: Let’s Party, I Deserve It

This type of personality has had enough. They are done. They have stayed home and done their part. They’ve run out of closets to clean and breads to bake.

Masks off. Lipstick on. Let’s go.

• They are the protestors rallying to end the lockdown.
• They desperately need to be with people outside their four walls.
• They are writing “woe is me” posts on their socials. From your own friends to celebrities, you certainly know someone like this. Maybe it’s you.

These people are doing 14-hour shifts and not complaining. Wearing masks, and being left with sores, after risking their own health and their families’ health selflessly. But then I see someone complaining about being in a mansion with a swimming pool. And, you know, honestly, I just don’t want to hear it. -Ricky Gervais

Listen, we all can feel a little sorry for ourselves. I do sometimes. Every single person is entitled to experience their own private emotions over this.

Sure, some people’s gripes might sound preposterous compared to the plight of others, but their feelings should still be validated. It’s up to you if you choose to care.

When lockdown is over, we will all deserve a personal celebration. However we choose to celebrate.

Group #2: Get Me Out of Here (But Stay Away)

These people long for the days pre-virus, but their ears still perk up at the term “second wave.” Chills.

They want to be socially responsible, but they also want to put on their wings.

They will emerge from their doors when the announcement is made with open arms, but skepticism might force them to take a step back.

A step forward. A step back. And a one, two, three. Pause four. They’ll be dancing a weird salsa with the virus.

They might ask to be seated at a remote table in a restaurant.

They might only RSVP “yes” to outdoor parties.

They might not let their children play sports. Yet.

They might not purchase tickets to sporting events, theatre or concerts. This year.

They might continue to exercise on Zoom or YouTube.

They will still see the virus everywhere. Peek-a-boo.

Group #3: Oh Hell No — Ima Stay Right Here

Forget flattening the curve. This type of person needs to turn on the news and have COVID-19 not even be a headline.

• It needs to be eviscerated.
• There needs to be a vaccine.
• There needs to be zero chance of contracting or spreading the virus.

Social isolation has been tough, but they aren’t taking any chances.

Perhaps a doomsayer? Perhaps just precautious?

Or perhaps the wisest out of them all?

Sorry kids, you won’t see Grandpa until 2023. You can FaceTime him. Here’s my phone.

What Will I Be?

I really don’t know.

I can relate to all three. I haven’t minded the isolation. I haven’t minded homeschooling my kids. I haven’t minded only seeing my family.

• But, I would like a date with my husband.
• I would like a meal with extended family and friends.
• I would like to see my children play with other kids.
• I would like to take off this damn mask.
• I would like to see a stranger’s smile again. Because it’s a beautiful thing.

If I lived alone, I understand wanting this to be over. Immediately. Screw the risks.

If I were high-risk, I could understand being terrified when the restrictions are lifted. Keep me in this house forever.

There Will Be Judgement

I don’t know how long we will have to wear masks.

I don’t know how long we will have to stand six feet apart.

I don’t know how long we will have to worry about the virus.

But, when restrictions get lifted, people inevitably will react in different ways. Human nature.

Judge (verb): form an opinion or conclusion about. -Dictionary.com

Oh boy. . . here we go.

Could lifting the restrictions result in tearing apart society even more?

• If I want to go to happy hour with my girlfriends, but my husband thinks it’s a bad idea, am I foolish to go? There will be judgment.
• If I want to go to a yoga class and then visit my mom, am I irresponsible? There will be judgment.
• If sending kids back to school becomes optional (something I heard was on the table), am I a bad mother for wanting them in a classroom? There will be judgment.

There will be judgment for all of our moves after the restrictions get lifted. I am hyper-careful out there now, but I’ve already gotten snarky comments from friends who are more careful than me:

You don’t wipe down your groceries? You know the virus can last five days on cardboard.

You visited your mom on Easter? (Yes, we stayed one hour, didn’t go in the house, and stayed apart.) You know that’s exactly what they were afraid of. Family gatherings on Easter and Passover.

You still pay cash? (Sometimes, yes.)

You let your husband near the kids? (I trust that he’s careful when he’s at work.)

The judgment has already begun. Grab your popcorn. This is about to get good.

Be safe my friends.

Do you love finding new homes to publish your work? Check out ILLUMINATION. Great publication. Great community. Great editors. Here’s some info by one of their editors, Timothy Key:

Emme Beckett is has been featured in The Bad Influence, The Haven, Fearless She Wrote, The Ascent, Live Your Life on Purpose, The Post-Grad Survival Guide, Home Sweet Home, and ILLUMINATION.