Covid-19 is the most significant global health crisis of our lifetime. It wasn’t all doom and gloom, as several people consider it one of the best times of their lives. Members of a popular online community were asked what the best parts of the lockdown were, and these are their most exciting takes.
1. Got Married Out of the Blue
For one thread contributor, the isolation that came with the lockdown was a blessing in disguise. Having lost his job, a man and his girlfriend decided to quarantine together, despite having only recently met. According to him, she is Persian and had some great family recipes with which they created a unique Persian food store that earned enough to sustain them through the global economic drought. They are now happily married, and that may not have happened but for the pandemic. One individual expresses his delight, “This is such a sweet story! Happy for you, stranger!” Several others on the thread are also fascinated by how two people found lasting love amid difficulties.
2. Got a First Time Job
While millions of others were losing their income sources, one woman says she found hers during the pandemic. “I am disabled. Thanks to an increase in working from home (WFH), I got my first WFH job. It was life-changing.” In a reply, a second user says she’s sorry it took the pandemic for her to land her first job, but it’s still a big win.
3. Administering Children’s Anesthesia Got Easier
A pediatric anesthesiologist shares her thrill with the lockdown, explaining how the widespread adoption of face masks made putting to sleep children in need of medical care easier. She continues, saying, “I often put kids under Anesthesia via a face mask. Lockdown has made kids much more comfortable going off to sleep via a mask. Hooray for small victories!” A second person thinks it’s a win worth appreciating, considering the difficulties medical practitioners face when dealing with children.
3. Traffic-Free Roads
“Absolutely zero traffic.” is the way someone describes his driving experience during the pandemic. Others say the disappearance of traffic jams during the lockdown was one of the things they were grateful for as commuting to work and back became free of the pre-pandemic hassle, especially for people offering essential services.
4. Healthier Environmental Conditions
The temporary reduction in human activities during the lockdown meant that there was reduced fossil pollution and an increase in air quality. One commenter summarizes it this way: “No smog. You could see the mountains.” Another person says they miss the way everything was just so quiet and peaceful.
5. Gas Prices Got Low
Gas prices plummeted during the pandemic because supply exceeded demand by an immeasurable margin. People on the forum say they loved buying a gallon at $1.59 and would rather fancy the perks than buy at the current, neck-breaking prices.
6. Victory Over Gambling Addiction
Gambling outlets during the pandemic shut down while respecting social distancing, and one person found his liberation in those moments. He explains, “The bookies and gaming places were shut, and I haven’t been back.” Several users on the platform congratulate him for his victory over himself.
7. More Free Time Than Usual
A forum contributor cherishes the avalanche of free time the pandemic gifted everyone. He reminisces on the feeling of not feeling guilty doing nothing productive all day. Another contributor says the pandemic slowed things so much that no one thought they were missing out on anything worthwhile.
8. Shed Some Heavy Pounds
One man says he and his wife lost 60 and 75 pounds during the lockdown. ‘’’We were fat before,’’ he explains, ‘’we’re not anymore.’’ While several forum participants say the pandemic had them adding massive weight, several others say it created enough time they couldn’t afford pre-pandemic to get in shape.
9. Privacy Like Never Before
One person says they are grateful for the privacy during the pandemic, emphasizing that they’ll always cherish not being around other people for days. A second user thinks the unprecedented quietude of the pandemic is severely underrated, adding that it brought an atmosphere of calm we may never again see in our lifetime.
10. A Great Sense of Corporate Social Responsibility
Someone feels businesses and communities stepped up where institutions failed during the pandemic, and it showed that despite our differences, we will always be there for one another in the most difficult of times. Several thread contributors agree profoundly, noting they’ve never imagined a time like the pandemic will come when people become as selfless and community-minded as they did during Covid-19.
Source: Reddit
This article was published and syndicated by The Cents of Money.
