Tripp and I did something the other day we haven’t done in a year. We went out to eat. We have been really strict about our Covid protocols, and while we have certainly gotten take out, we haven’t gone anywhere where we sit around with other people. But since we are both 2 weeks post second vaccine, we decided we could go for it.
The lively little downtown has closed the streets to traffic and all the restaurants have set up outdoor dining in front. We sat at a lovely, decently distanced table in the street, scanned the QR code for the menu, and actually ordered and ate in the same spot. It wasn’t weird, or surreal, it was just nice.
The food was so-so. The best part was getting a refill on my iced tea without having to get up and get it myself, I must admit. But still, it’s been almost a year since we did that, and it was so nice not to have to worry about Covid for a change. I remember going to the grocery store when the pandemic started and just feeling so, well, uncomfortable, I suppose. I just didn’t want to be there. Now, we sat and ate (well ventilated outdoors and without tables too close) and there was absolutely no feeling of worry. It wasn’t magical, but it was just so normal. There’s a small chance one of us could still get infected, but it’s highly unlikely we would get severely or even moderately ill. We’ve been so good about limiting contact and masking up and hand washing that I didn’t get a cold this past year, and I always get one (or two).
I’m starting to consider going back to the gym soon. Perhaps in a few weeks. I really need to, but I think that environment is still rather hazardous. I’m not going to take extraordinary risks with Covid just yet, but outside dining, or maybe a small gathering, absolutely.
I do see life returning to a sense of normal over the next few months as more and more people get vaccinated. I encourage every one to get immunized as soon as it’s available to them.
In the meantime, stay safe and stay well,
-Doc