Much has changed in the past month. Things once taken for granted are becoming ever more apparent, from toilet paper to hanging out with friends. Many students of UHCL went from having jobs, classes, internships, and social lives to learning about the life and imprisonment of a tiger breeder on Netflix.
Although the temptation to spend the day on TikTok and social media persists, many people are still hanging on to the idea of being close with one another in a time where physical interaction is strongly discouraged and can even be illegal.
For some students, the thought of isolating themselves inside while having food delivered right to their door and not having to shower or shave is a dream come true. For others, it is a living nightmare. Whichever way one leans, it is not surprising that a majority of students are drowned in streaming services, bingeing shows as if it were the only distraction of the grim reality of what has been going on in the world.
Socializing has become a challenge, but many people are finding ways around the restrictions. Group chats, social media, video calls, and online gaming have become a few of the popular ways students are choosing to stay social.
Human interactions are missed but knowing friends and family are a click away may come as a comfort to those who feel trapped inside of their homes. Knowing that one is not alone in dealing with the fears and anxieties of being quarantined comes as a relief to the people who feel alone. The need to be social is there but is it fading away?
While staying connected virtually is easier than ever, most people still do not want to do it. Students are sick of staying inside. Filling their brains with countless shows is just society’s way of numbing the growing impatience of not being able to see friends and family.
The social impact this might have on generations is social distancing becoming a way of life. Some may choose to become recluse because the transition back to normality may be too much to handle after several weeks of being told that leaving the house puts one in danger.
Humans are social by nature, but currently are getting used to social distancing and the culture of not leaving the house much is not only addictive, but it is also already seen as a part of social culture. Recovery is not as easy as waiting for the quarantine end.
