Socializing has been a taboo subject since the idea of social distancing was introduced at the beginning of this pandemic. Thanks a lot, non-mask wearers and science skeptics. Judging each other based on how far apart we are, how we wear masks and where we wear them is an every day occurrence.
Social distancing has impacted nearly everyone in large and difficult ways. People have been unable to have funerals and weddings, attend church, go to a coffee shop to study and abuse free Wi-Fi, meet up with friends or go on dates. Many of us have been suppressing our natural social behavior.
Our mental and emotional health has been affected in ways we notice and ways we don’t. All most people want is for the old normal to come back.
Over the summer we had more social options here in Idaho. Evidence suggesting the virus spreads quickly in enclosed spaces pushed us to socialize outside. In the outdoors, we have more freedom to meet with our friends, family and loved ones.
I can admit to a shadow of looming anxiety toward the looming winter months. As we lose our daylight hours moving farther into fall, and the temperature drops while the weather changes faster than my mood swings, I know this pandemic will be staying for at least Christmas and New Years. Our options to safely socialize are diminishing. While I believe myself and many others will get creative in our safe means of socializing this winter, I also think there’s more options this fall than I can come up with.
As much as I would love to social distance on a tropical island as a short escape — I mean vacation — I know this isn’t in the cards. The next best thing on the list for October activities is taking the kids I nanny to a pumpkin patch.
We drove to Green Bluff, a farming loop just outside of Liberty Lake, WA that I used to be a regular at during all seasons before COVID-19 took over. They let you explore the grounds, run through corn mazes and allow you to help yourself to seasonal produce and flowers. After that you are rung up in an open-air barn-like structure and all the money you spend goes to locally owned businesses and farms.
The kids ran straight for the corn maze, something I am petrified of because if I were a character in a slasher flick, I’ve always known I’d be the one to die in a corn maze. My boyfriend had tagged along and instantly transformed into a man child (I looked like a young, single mother of three). The nine-year-old Einstein begged to split up from her brother, so each “adult” went with a kid and let them lead.
True to her investigative skills, my partner had us out in less than 10 minutes. It would have been shorter, but I had convinced her to take a left when apparently, we should have gone straight. After we all escaped my personal nightmare, we roamed the pumpkins looking for good carving options. The kids were suddenly walking and talking like pumpkin experts, judging and explaining the ratings of gourds by color, size, shape, texture and the indescribable “it factor.”
The four of us got pumpkins and picked sunflowers. The kids didn’t want to leave, despite dark clouds rolling in and temperatures dropping to less friendly levels. When we left, both kids wanted to pick apples, but we had exhausted our time and my energy. This week we plan to return to Green Bluff and pick apples.
We were outside, wearing masks and all the people working and visiting were too, thanks to Washington’s enforced mask mandate. We stayed much more than six feet away from everyone there. Our group was one of three, from what I could see.
Like I said before, people are judgmental right now. Maybe you will read this and pick apart all the decisions I made, with my employers’ approval. Maybe you will think it’s ridiculous to wear our masks while being mostly alone and outdoors. Maybe you think I am a hypocrite, or maybe you are now inspired to find a pumpkin patch to socialize in, social distancing style. Either way, all we can say at this point, as unofficial social critics, is be smart and respectful. Respect people’s concerns over COVID-19. Respect mask mandates and requirements. Be smart and just know there is a virus. It’s not reasonable to gamble your own health and it’s beyond disrespectful to gamble with other people’s lives.
But, don’t forget to find joy and new ways of being with the people you love. Find a balance between pandemic safety and caring for your own social and mental health needs. There’s no longer a right answer after looking at all the facts, opinions and gross conspiracy theories. Just try to find that balance and try to go on the most health conscious adventures you can.
Rebecca Pratt can be reached at [email protected].