‘Post-quarantine’ is the term for the new world everyone is having to come to terms with in 2020. This new world consists of masks and social distancing; both of which have an undeniable impact on the way people are able to socialize, which includes dating.
The college experience is based off of interacting with new people and finding your place among others who share the same passions and drive. The looming fear of contracting the virus severely affects this aspect of college life.
“It’s hard because you don’t want to get Covid yourself so you kinda have a bubble around you. You don’t want to be close to anyone you don’t know,” CMU student Kierra Lee said.
People all over the world are having to retrain themselves in a sort of way to be weary of new people and keep their distance from those around them. When there’s that constant fear of getting sick or infecting others, it can be really difficult to make new friends or even physically interact with people.
“The whole face-to-face aspect; seeing a smile or just facial expressions with a mask on is challenging,” CMU student Jason Martin said. “Also, sitting in class you can’t just lean over and say ‘hey, what’s going on with this problem’ or talk about [things].”
Social distancing and dating don’t necessarily coincide with one another. Hugs have to be substituted with smiles and high-fives with elbow taps. It truly is a strange norm the world is having to adapt to. Dating seems out of the question if meeting new people is more difficult than it previously was.
Although everyone is asked to keep a distance from each other, it isn’t impossible to make connections during 2020.
“Try to break your daily routine and do things that you wouldn’t normally to meet new people. Whatever event is going on, go out and just be open to talk to people,” Martin said.
For some it can be daunting to leave their dorm and get out of their comfort zone.
“You have to be more willing to go out of your way and talk to people,” Martin said.
There is obviously a lot of mixed feelings regarding social distancing but maybe that’s just the thing young people need when it comes to dating.
“If there’s something to learn from dating in 2020, it’s to take it slow again,” CMU student Brenna Nease said.
With apps like Tinder becoming more popular among the younger generations, real connections are being lost. People aren’t taking the time to get to know the other person before they invite them into their space. Granted, that is what often happens on a college campus and elsewhere but, the restrictions set in place create an environment where an individual is forced to talk to someone and really get to know them before they let them in.
Life is different in all aspects, but everyone is having to make do with these changes and adapt to them.
“Love is always possible. It’s just a little more challenging [now],” Nease said.
