Post-COVID Social Vibes...
We are in, what most would consider, the outskirts of a pandemic. We are now seeing remnants of normality with people being vaccinated and the option, in most places, to have an option to wear a mask or not. After a year of social distancing and minimal contact with others, what are the implications socially and in terms of mental health? Certainly, after a year of minimal contact with others and mask wearing social interaction is impacted. "Cave Syndrome" is a term used by Scientific American (2021) to describe the experience of wanting to socially isolate after being in isolation for so long. We have been unable to view the nuanced facial expressions of others through mask wearing. We have maintained a certain amount of feet between others not in our household. We have had to rely on technology for interaction with those outside of our home to maintain connection. Students have been participating in distance learning unable to engage in social interactions that would naturally occur in the school setting with teachers and peers. Now that we are able to physically engage again and see people without a mask, how has our social interactions changed? Do you find yourself more anxious to engage socially with people in a way you didn't before the pandemic? Are you finding that you have to relearn ways of being socially? Share your experience of post-pandemic social interaction and engagement and how things have changed for you with interacting with other...we want to hear from you!
References
'Cave Syndrome' Keeps the Vaccinated in Social Isolation (2021, May 3). Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cave-syndrome-keeps-the-vaccinated-in-social-isolation1/
I'm scared to socialize again anf I'm scared to get the vaccine. I've been keeping my self isolated most of the time but I just recently went back to work and my anxiety is to the roof bevause almost everyone is not wearing a mask anymore and they're not keeping distance. I had Covid back in February and was hospitalized and I don't wanna go thru that again but I'm scared to get the vaccine because I lost one of my family members after she took the vaccine and my brother has been having issues after he took the vaccine so for now I will do my best to keep my self save 🙏
I feel that Cave Syndrome is definitely linked to anxiety which is why people are more willing to remain isolated with the relaxing of distancing protocols. For me, it was hard to want to get out again and go anywhere. Being more of a home body anyway helped reinforce my comfort in remaining physically distant with peers and friends. It will take some more exploring and being vaccinated does help make it an easier decision for me tonleave the house with a lower chance of getting sick. I think our social deprivation will ultimately win out and we will reshape our post-covid protocols and daily activities
As always a great post here!.
I believe people naturally need to connect with others, even the so called introverted personalities. I was excited to reconnect with people without over use of protective barriers. I think I felt even more relaxed once I received my vaccination. The vaccination gave me confidence to limit my mask use, although I still find myself being cautious in certain crowded environments. As far as relearning how to be social, that is not the case for me. I have always been a social butterfly and will probably remain one for the rest of my life. I think promoting vaccinations and have discussions like this one, will help all of us as a people to feel some form of normalcy again. As…