We have experienced a great deal of stability. I think Costco was planning their sales a year in advance. Surprises in our daily life have been few over the past ten years. Of course, there is politics. Gay marriage and how to deal with bathrooms for the non-binary caused some upheaval. You might have noticed the line of single stall restrooms at your local HyVee. But, aside from some redefinition of what terms are considered politically correct and floor plans of some bathrooms, our general societal rules of behavior have left Miss Manners with an easy job.
That has changed. With COVID-19, there is adaptation. When we have to change, that generally makes us unhappy. The percentage of very happy Americans is the lowest in fifty years. Loneliness and uncertainty were tagged as reasons, but beyond that, we really don't know for the moment how to behave.
Last week, I rented a cabin near Lutsen which advertised its COVID-19 precautions and the precautions of its restaurant. It had switched to take-out and outdoor picnic table seating. A certificate said that employees had gone through COVID-19 training. Employees were wearing masks. Patrons were urged to distance by one moose and wear masks.
On Wednesday though, the rules changed and they were now seating at 50% capacity within the restaurant. The picnic tables were empty due to the cold wind off the lake. People on one side of the restaurant were as before, waiting for take out. People on the other side were eating, which would be hard to do with a mask on. People were generally well behaved and trying to follow rules. But, what rules had changed over the last 24 hours? How were people supposed to know what to do? Where do I safely wait?
That has changed. With COVID-19, there is adaptation. When we have to change, that generally makes us unhappy. The percentage of very happy Americans is the lowest in fifty years. Loneliness and uncertainty were tagged as reasons, but beyond that, we really don't know for the moment how to behave.
Last week, I rented a cabin near Lutsen which advertised its COVID-19 precautions and the precautions of its restaurant. It had switched to take-out and outdoor picnic table seating. A certificate said that employees had gone through COVID-19 training. Employees were wearing masks. Patrons were urged to distance by one moose and wear masks.
On Wednesday though, the rules changed and they were now seating at 50% capacity within the restaurant. The picnic tables were empty due to the cold wind off the lake. People on one side of the restaurant were as before, waiting for take out. People on the other side were eating, which would be hard to do with a mask on. People were generally well behaved and trying to follow rules. But, what rules had changed over the last 24 hours? How were people supposed to know what to do? Where do I safely wait?
My resort restaurant had turned into the kitchen of a nudist colony!
Today, we met a friend in our backyard who will probably paint our house soon. We distanced. We wore masks. But, it was done haphazardly because of lack of muscle memory and engrained routines in our heads.
Later, a service worker came to clear the drain. He wore a half face respirator, a safe choice of equipment even for a hospital employee. Our feeling was that he was not going to give us disease or get it from us. We didn't wear masks. We didn't think about it as we sat in our house next to his path. But we should have. Afterward, he went outside and called so we could settle the bill. He knew what to do. We didn't. Our etiquette was poor. Again, it is a new situation and we need more practice to be polite.
It is unsettling to not know what to do. There are guidelines and we follow them. But, it is unsettling to get it wrong, not just because of risks. We don't like to be rude.
I am a member of the 14% of Americans who would rate myself as very happy. But, I can certainly understand why a high number of people are unhappy. It isn't just loneliness and uncertainty. It is more than political issues such as our reaction to police brutality or our feelings about the president. We genuinely do not know right now how we are supposed to behave.
Today, we met a friend in our backyard who will probably paint our house soon. We distanced. We wore masks. But, it was done haphazardly because of lack of muscle memory and engrained routines in our heads.
Later, a service worker came to clear the drain. He wore a half face respirator, a safe choice of equipment even for a hospital employee. Our feeling was that he was not going to give us disease or get it from us. We didn't wear masks. We didn't think about it as we sat in our house next to his path. But we should have. Afterward, he went outside and called so we could settle the bill. He knew what to do. We didn't. Our etiquette was poor. Again, it is a new situation and we need more practice to be polite.
It is unsettling to not know what to do. There are guidelines and we follow them. But, it is unsettling to get it wrong, not just because of risks. We don't like to be rude.
I am a member of the 14% of Americans who would rate myself as very happy. But, I can certainly understand why a high number of people are unhappy. It isn't just loneliness and uncertainty. It is more than political issues such as our reaction to police brutality or our feelings about the president. We genuinely do not know right now how we are supposed to behave.
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