It is difficult to deny the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on nearly every aspect of our lives. From the way we learn, work, rest, and play, it feels like the pandemic has fundamentally changed the world as we know it. For many of us, this has offered a chance for reflect on the little things we miss from before the pandemic. With the end in sight through vaccines and a regular lateral flow test, here are some of the things we’re looking forward to being able to take for granted again.
Going to Sports Events
There’s been something rather surreal about watching football on TV for the last year, with the stands being empty and the artificial noise being provided by the broadcaster just sounding… wrong. You can see it on the players’ faces as well; they’re tired, and desperately want to be egged on by a large crowd.
There’s nothing quite like going to a football game; the feeling of emerging from the concourse to find your seat, the roars of appreciation for your team walking out, the chants that go around as fans encourage their team.
That’s before we even get to the best parts; the cheers and singing when your team scores, the sight of players sprinting to the stands to celebrate with their fans. Even the small things, like hearing the fans ironically cheering when an opposition player makes a mistake, have been sorely missed.
We’re already excited to get back to live sports just by watching the reduced crowds allowed at the Euros. Even being at home, the sound of the fans enjoying themselves is enough to bring a smile to your face.
Going to Work or the Office
While some of us have taken working from home in our stride, there is no denying that there is something sad about not being surrounded by the usual office buzz we had become so used to hearing. From discussing your weekend with your colleagues around the water cooler to simply bouncing ideas off of each other, the office environment simply cannot be recreated at home.
Children have had it much worse, however, as they’ve been denied a whole year of seeing their teachers in the classroom, or playing with their friends on the playground. Talking over Zoom or through headsets on video games is not quite the same.
Many university students will not have met a single one of their course mates this year, with learning taking place entirely online. This year will, unfortunately, have been a lonely one for many young people in higher education.
Going Out with Friends
We intensely miss the almost ritualistic process of organising to go out with friends, such as picking out a lovely outfit, and then having to send a text apologising for being late because that took so long!
Going out for a meal or a few drinks was something we definitely took for granted before. Being able to joke, laugh and hug your loved ones was never something any of us would have imagined not being able to do for over a year.
That’s before we even consider how long it’s been since any of us have been allowed to set foot in a nightclub! We intensely miss the feeling of entering a dark room with flashing lights and cheering when the DJ plays your favourite song.
Luckily, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and with the help of Healgen Antigen rapid tests and vaccines, we should be able to get back to doing what we love as soon as this summer.