As The World Opens Up a Little, Things I've Noticed

[jesse_the_k]

My public library has re-opened. Not all the way: no community rooms (good for book groups or vidding workshops or tutoring); hold pickup area is split into two rooms to ensure physical distance; more thoughtful precautions explained on their site.

They’ve been accumulating books and magazines the whole time. The shelves are jammed full — no room for the themed spinners, or featuring a book face out. Since people couldn’t browse for a more than a year, the plastic covers are shiny.

And I could browse and wow it’s so wonderful to let my eyes feast and flitter from this title to that author to this typeface.

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Half-smoked cigarette butts have been replaced by discarded single-use masks.

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Because I’m going to continue wearing a KN95 mask for the foreseeable future — my asthma and allergies have been much better this year — I witness many awkward negotiations on the sidewalk, taking me back to the earliest days of the pandemic, before masking was ubiquitous.

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What changes do you notice?

Comments

[sheafrotherdon]

I've noticed that the staff in a lot of places have stopped wearing masks, which surprises me, given the volume of people in and out of, say, Target in a given day.

I've noticed that I don't care at all what people think about me continuing to wear a mask in stores, and that I feel very comfortable about my choice! :)

I have noticed how nice it is to go back to a bar and actually have a drink *at* the bar. I did that last night for a little while at happy hour, and oh, it was lovely.

[jesse_the_k]

Indeed, bars require a cozy "bunch of strangers sharing space" to fulfill their role. What drink did you have? Were the staff masked there?

[sheafrotherdon]

There was only the owner working, and he wasn't wearing a mask. There weren't many people in there at that hour, I don't know if he wears one otherwise.

I had a Manhattan at first (which was average) but then I asked for a sipping rye, and he served me an incredible rye that was so smooth I about forgot my name.

[jesse_the_k]

Mmmmmmm.

(My body rebels when given alcohol, but I miss smooth whiskey.)

[sheafrotherdon]

I would miss it too! But bodies in rebellion never feel good ♥

[esteefee]

traffic noise is still less. :)

[jesse_the_k]

That's a welcome change.

Last March and April the roads were ghostly. There was a brief period when cars stopped to pedestrians -- even on the 30mph road near me. (Our state only requires yielding, not stopping, and even then they're not enforced.)

[yourlibrarian]

I also plan to keep wearing a mask. My allergies aren't as affected by mask wearing except during house cleaning. But I passed the last year with no colds and I'd definitely like to enjoy an illness free winter season this coming year as well.

I've noticed that there are many more maskless people in the past week, and I guess I've been in a position to do so since I've been out more myself.