In the wake of the early COVID-19 pandemic, a San Diego man, James Yu, underwent a significant shift in priorities, leading him to embrace the idea of starting a family. Yu, now 40, reflects on how isolation drastically changed his life.
“Before the pandemic, my routine involved working out and socializing with colleagues,” Yu said. “But everything changed when lockdown conditions were implemented.”
Living alone at the time, Yu described his experience as “solitary confinement.” As a biotech scientist, he found solace in his job being deemed essential, allowing him to engage with coworkers despite the isolation at home.
“I was thankful to go into work and have real conversations,” Yu noted, adding that the experience drove him to seek a partner, now his wife.
Yu’s story illustrates how the pandemic affected Americans in various ways. While many united through shared experiences, such as mourning lost loved ones and navigating safety protocols, division also arose. Political, cultural, and geographic tensions escalated as differing opinions on pandemic responses emerged.
“You could see the divide clearly on social media,” Yu commented, referencing the criticisms exchanged between Californians and Floridians regarding pandemic restrictions.
Is the pandemic really “over”?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 has resulted in over 1.2 million deaths in the U.S. Though vaccination efforts reduced fatalities, the virus still contributes to more than 1% of American deaths.
In April 2023, President Joe Biden ended the national state of emergency over COVID-19, followed by the World Health Organization’s declaration of the end to the international health crisis in May. However, many Americans continue to grapple with the lasting effects of the pandemic.
“We’re still processing the trauma,” said Melodye Watson, a clinical social worker in Maryland, highlighting the emotional toll of daily death counts and isolation during lockdowns.
A recent Gallup poll revealed that 59% of Americans believe the pandemic is over, while 41% disagree, echoing sentiments from a similar survey conducted the previous year.
This disparity underscores the many unique experiences individuals faced during COVID-19. Yu, Watson, and others shared stories reflecting their reassessments of priorities and the struggles they encountered during isolation.
We adjusted, uneasily, to shifts in what’s normal
Julie Foote, a teacher who stayed in Myanmar during the pandemic, discovered a newfound passion for Dungeons & Dragons, bringing this interest to her students in Vietnam. For her, the game emerged as a tool for creativity and problem-solving.
In Southern California, Mara Rosza found solace working in a garden center, teaching customers how to cultivate their own vegetables. While some leaned into pandemic hobbies, Rosza felt a disconnect from those who benefited from unemployment while she remained on the front lines.
“There was a sense of camaraderie at work, but we were also scared,” she acknowledged.
Many experienced similar frustrations during the pandemic, including 31-year-old Pauline M. from Seattle, who mentioned feeling isolated amidst skepticism about some COVID restrictions. She expressed that negativity on social media contributed to her disappointment.
The pandemic transformed interactions on campuses, noted Chelsea Lloyd, a microbiology professor whose small wedding ceremony highlighted the shift in social settings with students less likely to enter health professions post-pandemic due to increased burnout and isolation.
Americans’ views on the pandemic became increasingly linked to politics
Now more than ever, political beliefs heavily influence perceptions of the pandemic, causing a divide in opinions around health regulations. Pew Research findings indicate ongoing contention about pandemic measures such as lockdowns and mask mandates.
As Foote travels back to America, she observes stark changes in societal interactions, expressing concern over the rise in confrontational behavior among Americans. “It’s alarming to witness unprovoked aggression that was previously rare,” she shared.
