I don’t know about you, but I am slightly terrified about all of these calls to re-open the economy when it clearly isn’t safe yet. “Re-open the economy” seems like code for making people sick so that wealthy corporations can make money off the working class AGAIN. But while the calls to open things back up are very loud, the people making them are part of a very fringe minority.
Most people in our community are being smart and staying home––despite the fact that Virginia is already moving to open things up. According to a recent poll, most people (78%) are still staying home most of the time. Eighty-three percent of people are avoiding public events and gatherings and 79% of people are avoiding restaurants and bars. Sixty-four percent of people are avoiding in person interactions with family and friends and 65% of people are wearing a mask always or most of the time when they do have to leave the house. Social distancing is pretty popular! In fact, here are 5 popular things that social distancing is more popular than to give you an idea of just how popular social distancing is.
1.Social distancing is more popular than owning a pet!
Only 60% of Americans own a pet. That includes people who own cats and dogs, but also people who have birds, snakes, fish, and hamsters. Who knew social distancing was more popular than puppies?
2. More people are social distancing than there are NFL fans
Only 57% of Americans consider themselves professional football fans, which makes social distancing more popular than the NFL. Good job, Americans!
3. Social distancing is more popular than Beyoncé.
Only 51% of Americans like Beyoncé. First of all, WHAT? That seems crazy to me. Beyoncé is a queen, so if social distancing is more popular than she is, you know it’s the right thing to do.
4. Social distancing is more popular than Harry Potter.
61% of Americans have seen at least one Harry Potter movie, but just 18% have read all of the books. So it is clear, social distancing is even more popular than Harry Potter.
5. Social distancing is more popular than swimming.
According to the Red Cross, only 56% of the self-described swimmers can perform all five of the basic skills that could save their life in the water. That makes social distancing more popular than swimming!
So while it’s clear that social distancing is super popular, that doesn’t make it any less hard. It kind of sucks staying home, day after day, with no end in sight. Trying to balance working from home, taking care of kids, and the existential dread that comes with a pandemic is basically impossible The government’s response that is being botched at every level is making it even worse. But that’s what we have to do to make sure that our communities and loved ones stay safe, so I for one am going to keep staying at home, even if Virginia does open up some businesses. Tell us your story about what it’s like to be stuck at home and why you’re doing it by submitting a video here!