As businesses fling their doors open wider and neighbors, friends and family gleefully charge into public and private spaces under the auspices of our new Orange Tier status perhaps a reintegration primer is in order.
Since last March we have been living in a color-coded world of do’s and dont’s. Many of us seem to have forgotten how to interact with one another given we have spent the last year in quasi social isolation to mitigate the spread of the pandemic.
Also, Gov. Gavin Newsom—under recall pressure from Republicans, and encouraged by an increase in the number of people vaccinated against COVID-19—has targeted the middle of June as the point when all pandemic restrictions will be lifted. Hopefully this reminder will help you rea-dapt to society.
Keep your distance.
Pre-pandemic we were mindful of allowing personal space. In line at the grocery store a social distance of about two feet was maintained. It was space enough to carry on mindless, civil chit chat but distant enough that both parties were not in danger of unintentional contact.
During the pandemic six feet of distance was the norm and while the spacing was glorious it made for long lines in checkouts and congested aisles.
Now that we’re in Orange and more people are allowed in stores, it seems some shoppers have forgotten their place. One woman was close enough that she could nudge me off balance as she reached across for her magazine. Somebody else tapped me gently and asked that I reach over and hand them a carton of eggs since I was closer.
In line at an outdoor coffee stand someone was close enough that I could hear both parties on their phone conversation even though my compatriot was clearly not using the speaker option.
And during a walk on the beach on a particularly warm, sunny Spring afternoon one man, evidently drunk on the sunshine and hope of a new day, danced from person to person calling out “Happy Spring!” and reaching out for high fives.
We’re not there yet. It may feel like the pandemic is over, and some of us may be starved for personal interaction but keeping your hands—and your aerosols—to yourself is good habit to have for just a while longer.
