Life during the pandemic

[Rebek56]

Several months into the pandemic now, I am wondering what if any changes people have made to their original pandemic behavior. As a retiree, I find that I have not gone back to "normal" and don't miss it all that much, though the situation may change in the winter when I am not in the garden every day--have made the decision not to snowbird. Honestly, I have enjoyed the freedom to control what interactions I have. (Yes, I am an introvert.)

Our only social gatherings have been very small--six or fewer people--and all outdoors and spaced apart. We have not eaten indoors at any restaurants and only rarely in outdoor settings--have purchased a couple of gift certificates to use after the pandemic. We don't do much takeout as we avoid styrofoam and single-use plastic. No one has been in our home other than a repair person. I have been in the home of a disabled friend to help with her animals a few times.--always masked, as is she. Several groups of friends meet weekly over Zoom, as does our church. A friend and I walk together several mornings a week--masked.

Our Institute for Learning in Retirement is active. I am about to teach a literature course and will be taking an eight-week course this fall.

I shop at the grocery store, the small local hardware store, the pharmacy, and the outdoor farmers market. Have not visited a mall or other retail establishment but do use the library. Order online only rarely as we don't need much. The money we are not spending gets donated to local charities.

How are other people doing?