During the pandemic, many of us chose to isolate completely. I went to great lengths to avoid even the delivery drivers, treating elderly neighbors like they were creatures from a horror movie. Groceries arrived at my doorstep thanks to anonymous essential workers whom I tipped generously but never saw; it felt like they were magically transporting my food. I even disinfected grocery bags and shouted at my partner, “I’m not risking my life just so you can munch on snacks!” We stayed home, avoided gatherings, and binge-watched shows. My pandemic experience revolved around self-isolation, adult coloring books, and endless scrolling through social media.
I know I’m not alone in this, fellow quarantiners. I recognize you in your comfy loungewear and your pandemic haircuts. Praise the CDC, right?
When we finally began to step outside, we donned masks as if we were preparing for heists or surgeries. Before being vaccinated, I hadn’t shown my face to anyone besides my immediate family since early last year. I dodged unmasked individuals like I dodged delivery drivers, maintaining a six-foot radius that felt like a protective bubble. I even yelled “ALLERGIES, NO COVID!” in a pharmacy more times than I care to admit. And yes, I sanitized my sanitizer.
So, Karen, as we’re all getting vaccinated and the CDC says it’s safe to remove our masks, don’t come to us lamenting how tough your experience was. We remember your social media posts; the Internet never forgets. Your pandemic experience was not the same as ours. Some of us put in the effort during group projects while some of you slacked off in the corner.
Your Pandemic Experience Was Distinct
Maybe you think your behavior was justified because you mostly stayed in. But “mostly” really means “occasionally,” and “occasionally” means “not really.” We were holed up, masked up like villains, venturing out only once a week. Kudos to those who had to work outside the home; I salute you even if I did run from you. Meanwhile, you strolled through your favorite stores and indulged in takeout, treating yourself to a meal at a restaurant.
We noticed your outings, Karen.
We were privy to your unmasked beach vacations and indoor gatherings, where you celebrated with friends over drinks and shared unmasked selfies while posting about social distancing just a few posts earlier.
Many of us spent the pandemic learning new recipes, while your social media showed off barbecues that clearly didn’t involve cooking lessons. We missed important milestones like birthdays and graduations, while you casually brought balloons and a questionable casserole to gatherings without a second thought.
So, Keep Quiet
If you complained to essential workers about your “right” to go maskless, threw lavish parties while our case counts rose, or dined indoors when it wasn’t safe, your pandemic experience was not ours. Did you think we didn’t notice your foggy glasses? Did you think we wanted to give our kids haircuts at home?
So, don’t disguise your experience. You don’t get to whine about your struggles when they included just minor inconveniences. I didn’t see my best friend for over a year, but you enjoyed spa days with yours? There’s no comparison here. Don’t act like we’re all in the same boat. We saw your social media updates, Karen, and if you planned to misrepresent your pandemic experience, you should have thought twice before sharing all those posts.
Don’t claim your experience was exceptionally tough. Sure, 2020 was challenging for everyone, but some of us made sacrifices while others took the easy route. Don’t pretend you deserve praise when you didn’t step up. If you escaped COVID-19, it’s because many of us did the hard work of following safety measures.
So please, spare us your complaints. Go vent to Carol and Tammy. Don’t try to convince us that your experience was exceptionally difficult—we’ll just roll our eyes. While we were coping with anxiety and uncertainty, you were getting haircuts and pampering yourself without a mask.
Your pandemic experience was not ours. Let’s not pretend it was.
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Summary
This article reflects on the stark differences in individuals’ experiences during the pandemic, calling out those who were less cautious while others took significant precautions. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the varying levels of commitment to safety and the impact of social behavior on community health.