Something I briefly commented about in another thread.
People are social distancing, staying home, avoiding contact, standing 6ft/2m apart, all that. Well, at least most people are, as much as possible. Many still gotta go to work, buy fuel and groceries, do business which can't be done online, etc, for these some (minimum, controlled) exposure to others is just unavoidable. And some selfish folks just don't care for whatever reasons, I only hope that if/when they get ill they won't infect others or use medical resources needed by others.
But I've noticed that few people dare speak or even make eye contact. I get glares when idly making jokes in lineups, as if I'm breaking some taboo or as if opening mouths will spread deadly contagion. I realize some of my jokes suck, it's true, but seriously it's been a tough crowd in recent times. Even people who are together (couples, families, etc) no longer comfortably interact with each other in public.
I've noticed people online - at least youtube comments and other forums I visit - have been cynical, negative, challenging, and hostile. Far more than the usual smarty pundits and trolling nonsense, normally friendly rational people arguing and venting and lashing out because, I suppose, they're currently denied access to their usual emotional outlets.
I understand we're all being isolated, some are lonely, some are bored, some are frustrated, and many of us are prone to (ugly and harmful) stress response psychology when confronted by ongoing powerlessness, dread, threat, and uncertainty. Those facing financial crisis or serious health risks have even more to worry about. People are tasting fear. Most have never been forced to learn how to deal with it.
I'm just astonished at how quickly and pervasively this "mob mentality" has expressed itself.
And I wonder how little it will take to devolve this vague sense of unease and fear into raw stupid panic.
