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We don't have to tell you that the COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented time in our lives. You probably read many similar headlines saying something like this at the time. It was also a pretty scary time in many ways—with risks to our health, jobs, and basically, life as we know it.

Now that almost five years have passed since it started, people are seeing the period with different eyes. Some even miss certain aspects that we no longer have. That's what this list is precisely about—folks online sharing which pandemic-related things they wish were a thing now, too. So, let's jump in and see whether we agree with them or not, shall we?

More info: Reddit

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    #2

    Peace and quiet in serene nature with mountains, trees, and a reflective lake under a clear sky. I live in Yosemite National Park. No visitors were allowed in during the initial lockdown, so it was only the employees who lived in the Park that got to enjoy Spring that year. No one on the Mist Trail on a fine spring day in May. No cars at Tunnel View for sunrise. No gumbies at Swan Slab. No careless influencers trampling the meadows. The birds were loud, the bears were comfortable, the dogwood blooms didn't get picked and ruined. I miss that--I miss having the Valley to "myself". It's so selfish. But man. What an experience.

    AnnaSmitseroo , Pixabay Report

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    Frieda
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m so glad you got to experience that! Even if it was short-lived.

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    No matter where you lived in 2020, you experienced the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another. And, well, the whole world was impacted significantly. 

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    It impacted the global economy, putting tens of millions at risk of poverty, disrupting food systems, and leaving countless individuals vulnerable to undernourishment and so on. 

    Then there’s its influence on the public's physical health, mental health, and the healthcare sector. Many people got COVID-19, and while some recovered without too many repercussions, others suffered for a long time (some still suffer) from long-term effects like fatigue, memory problems, trouble with taste and/or smell, shortness of breath, sleep issues, and many others. 


    #4

    Empty street between rows of townhouses, reflecting peace and quiet. Empty streets.

    kingsizeslim420 , IKRAM shaari Report

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    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I worked during the pandemic and it was the quickest I've every gotten to and from work, fresh air, no smoke and just clear streets.

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    #5

    Group of people enjoying a moment of connection, smiling and relaxed indoors, capturing a sense of peace and quiet. People keeping their f*****g distance. It took a bit, but now people are right back to hovering over your shoulder in line.

    mutemarmot42 , Kampus Production Report

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    #6

    A person wearing a face mask at home during the pandemic. Common courtesy if people were ill. People staying home or masking up when sick. Now we’re back to disgustingly ill people hacking and coughing all over with zero regard for others. It’s gross.

    PollutionDouble229 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    Sarah Matsoukis
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When everyone wore masks in public buildings I wasn't sick once for 3 years, the moment it was over I got sick.

    Ron Man
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still see a lot of people wearing masks in public, and a lot of companies here have kept the policy that if you're sick, you're masked at work or staying home if you have a fever.

    Ron Man
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love that my comment is being downvoted because I said I see people still masking and taking precautions with illnesses around. Yes, please downvote responsible actions for illnesses. BP people are so fvcking fvcked in the head it's hilarious.

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just as the pandemic was starting, but before lockdown, when people were starting to be more aware of the importance of staying home when sick, and leaving if you get sick during work, I did start feeling sick at work. Manager said go home and don't worry about a "left early" write up. HR still gave me a write up and said I shouldn't have left work. Some places only talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk.

    Jacquie Carr
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I miss masks. They keep your face warm in winter & people can't see your facial expressions

    AK
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep, mine has kept me warm in below freezing weather and stopped me from getting sick. What's stopping you from wearing it?

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    Jules
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What I hate is the attitude of some people if you dare to ask them to sanitise their hands when they enter our clinic. Anyone would think you'd asked them to cut off a limb...

    Limey
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep. I was in an airport the other day sitting opposite a person who was hacking in a really chesty cough. No mask, no hand in front of face. Maybe they weren’t contagious but it sure would have been nice if they had acted like they were and exercise the courtesy we saw during the pandemic.

    Hey!
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right now, my elderly husband is really sick because when we went to the doctor's the other day, someone kept coughing and sneezing but wasn't wearing a mask. I get that it was the right place for that man to be but most still wear a mask when they are sick.

    Robin DJW
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And we have learned a bit from it. I cancelled a Christmas trip BC I got sick (a cold) before departure. People are more likely to do that these days. I'm sure someone was glad to get my plane seats!

    Verfin22
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen the opposite actually. More people wearing masks when sick now not knowing that was always a solution to spreading germs.

    LuisSD stuff
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still see masks. People have gotten used to wearing and seeing them now. I wear one when I feel as if I'm going to get sick like the flu or even a simple cold.

    Blondie23
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    there are people at my office that still wear masks and no one bats an eyelash at them. There is a women going through chemo and another woman that has a weak immune system. In fact we all respect them for looking out for their health!

    SkippityBoppityBoo
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still wear facemasks whenever I go out. They hide my facial scars. Also I'm still required to at certain hospital appointments. I don't care if I get weird looks. You're apparently contagious if you've a cold a few days before you show symptoms. So I'd rather wear a mask because it's not just about me.

    Liz Mary
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP clearly didn't work in any Dr's office. The amount of idiots coming in because they tested positive for COVID! we had to disinfect the reception every time one came. We never had less than 2/day. That's not to mention the ones that came in because they have a "old" or a "flu" but would refuse to test because they didn't believe in COVID. out came the cleaning products and surfice wipes.

    Adam Benson
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still wear a mask on the bus or train, especially during winter. I can't trust anyone to take even basic precautions or use common sense when sick.

    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everyone would rather stay at home in bed if they're ill! If they're up and about then they have no option.

    TheGirlWhoWoreGlasses
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But work from home has made it even MORE expected that you can work while sick - just do it at home

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    Unfortunately, many people lost their lives due to this illness, too. According to the Worldmeter, over 7 million people have died from the virus as of December 2024. Additionally, complications (and deaths) were worsened by the coronavirus or pandemic restrictions, as people faced delayed diagnoses and help. 

    At the same time, even though the pandemic was a horrific time for health, society, and the economy, some people still hold positive sentiments toward it. After all, even though it is human nature to focus on the negatives, some people try to find positivity in every horrible situation, as that is what drives them forward. 

    So, when one Reddit user asked netizens to share what they miss about the pandemic, many (to be more specific over 12K people) were quick to answer. We've compiled this list for your convenience, to show you what people had to say. 

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    #7

    Person enjoying peace and quiet while working on a laptop from a cozy couch, sipping coffee. Not feeling bad for sitting in my apartment all day and night. No FOMO.

    Accurate_Ad385 , Vlada Karpovich Report

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    Kelly Scott
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You know, it really says something when the pandemic didn't change your life one iota.

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    #8

    A bustling city street scene with people walking. The Pace of life almost felt like how life should be ? Less traffic, less crowded streets, less noise , more time to appreciate people at home , some jobs could commute, even people who had a variety of opinions on the pandemic details, seemed to have a community of sorts within their said beliefs… It just feels modern society is chaotic for no good reason, and the pandemic slowed things down for a short minute.

    SoapAndShampo , _ Whittington Report

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    Doodles1983
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. NHS here. Busiest time of my life. Unfortunately, we all picked up the pace out of necessity. And it's become the expectation. Now being met with burnout and people leaving in droves.

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    #9

    Friends enjoying peace and quiet while using phones in a park during a sunny day. I miss having optimism that life would get better post pandemic. Somehow things have gotten worse and Elon f*****g Musk is making decisions that have potential to f**k s**t up even more for me and my income.

    DisaTheNutless , Keira Burton Report

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    For instance, some people missed how empty the streets were due to the restrictions. For example, in this Bored Panda article, you can see how empty the streets of Krakow looked back in 2020. In comparison, here’s what driving through the streets of Krakow looked like in September of 2024—way busier, isn’t it? And that’s just one city; any other could probably be used as an example, too.

    So, it's no surprise that some folks miss such emptiness. It seemed so quiet and calm, didn’t it? 


    #10

    Woman helps child adjust a mask with a whisker design. The beginning. When we were all in it together. Then it devolved into the whole mask/no-mask and vaccine/anti-vax b******t. Ugh.

    HushabyeNow , August de Richelieu Report

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    Stephanie A Mutti
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was so nice to be on the same page for a minute. We used to sit outside for "happy hour" with the neighbors. We were all in our little deck chairs sitting away from each other and other neighbors would be out walking. It was the most pleasant spring in our neighborhood. AND the weather was glorious that year. It's too bad it took a health crisis and so many didn't make it.

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    #11

    People enjoying peace and quiet on a pedal boat in a serene park lake, surrounded by trees and city buildings in the distance. The quiet. In the big city where I live there are various lakes / ponds around, and during the pandemic I could hear the frogs chirping like crazy in the evenings instead of traffic.

    TR3BPilot , Franco Garcia Report

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    S Bow
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how many people heard that for the first time and didn't know what it was.

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    #12

    Person cleaning a wooden table, symbolizing peace and quiet amid a serene home setting. Not having to talk to people. 
    Having time to do extra stuff around the house. .

    Brave_Check6170 , cottonbro studio Report

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    Kathy L
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    YES. Heaven for me would be not having to listen to stupid chitchat and small talk.

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    Speaking of calm, since people were ordered to stay at home during the COVID-19 outbreak, Earth got a well-deserved break. In 2020, Bored Panda wrote about how satellite images revealed a dramatic drop in pollution over Italy due to the lockdown.

    Voa News reported similar things, too. Smog, which had been choking New Delhi for decades, began to clear up. Nitrogen dioxide pollution decreased by 30% in the northeastern United States—you get the gist. 


    #13

    Woman enjoying peace and quiet while using a laptop in a serene home office setting. Time, I had time, I was just starting to understand myself as I'm an addict and that time gave me the ability to actually look inward and make strong necessary changes to essentially grow up and become a better person.

    Sensul05 , Anna Nekrashevich Report

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    Cool crow
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope you get an opportunity every day to take some time for yourself. You need it and really, I think we all do!

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    #15

    Emergency entrance at a hospital during the pandemic. Pretty much everything except the people dying.

    infidelightfull , Pixabay Report

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    Basically, during the pandemic, we were able to see how strenuous we humans are on Earth and how quickly it regenerates once we slow down a little. It's no wonder some folks miss it, especially now that everything is back on. We continue to strain the planet, even though it’s the only one we have. 

    So, while the pandemic was a scary time, there were some positives in it that some of us are starting to forget. Maybe this list will serve as a reminder and a motivation that, even in the darkest times, light (even if just a small one) can be found.


    #16

    Person working on a laptop in a peaceful, quiet room with soft lighting. Working from home.

    Previous-Artist-9252 , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

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    LonelyLittleLeafSheep
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is when we, as a society, figured out that many jobs could easily be done from home without a loss of productivity or efficiency. Which of course means that middle management is entirely useless and far overpaid.

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    #17

    Empty shopping carts in a row outdoors. Clean supermarket baskets. Actually just clean stuff in general. The moment it was no longer mandated, everything went back to being filthy
    Your would think there would be minimum standards of hygiene in places that sell produce... I mean, I'm pretty sure a corner grocer would get in trouble for having baskets as gross as Woolworths baskets always are.

    Weary_Sale_2779 , Jan van der Wolf Report

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    Hey!
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Our grocery store kept the swipes so the roll is always full - somebody actually checks this - and you swipe your own cart. Since we eat there before doing the groceries, I also swipe my hands. BTW, those swipe are huge, something like 6"x3".

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    #18

    Woman enjoying peace and quiet in a serene, forested path, wearing a brown jacket with fur collar. I miss the ability to avoid people and tasks of other peoples….people got very selfish and demanding post covid like they’re more important than anyone else

    Edit: Wow I didn't expect this comment to get so many upvotes. It's amazing to see how many of us think alike. And thank you for the awards.

    Jewnohh , Miguel Del Angel Villegas Report

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    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right? The entitled A**H**es seem to have multiplied exponentially!

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    #19

    Two women enjoying a moment of peace and quiet outdoors, smiling at each other warmly. The illusion that the majority of people cared about others.

    KatrinaKatrell , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    Cool crow
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't care what anyone else does, I'm going to be kind, to the best of my ability!

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    #20

    Hands sanitizing with peace and quiet, a small spray bottle rests on a wooden table. Hand sanitizer at gas pumps. Pandemic or no, some folks just don’t wash their hands.

    LadySerenity , cottonbro studio Report

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    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The handwashing stations here were removed the second it was lifted. I made sure our office kept the sanitizing stations. They're still being used.

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    #21

    Person enjoying peace and quiet, standing with arms raised on a serene beach during sunset. - peace and quiet
    - actually having no stress and being able to just exist and mind your own business
    - being rested and getting enough sleep for the first and probably the last time
    - not working for 5.5 months.

    MadameCoco7273 , Sam Sung Report

    #22

    Family enjoying peace and quiet at home, sitting together on the floor with a book in a cozy living room setting. Staying at home and having a family time almost every day like eating together, watching movies together.

    AbbyyAdventures , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    KittyGaming
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Personally not me, both of my parents got sick and I stayed in my room all day only leaving to get food or go to the bathroom, everytime my parents talk about how sick they were they always mention watching me dashing from my room to the kitchen and back, I'm glad others got closer though

    #23

    Woman in a fur coat enjoying peace and quiet on a snowy tram ride. Sitting one person per pair of seats on the bus. Hate it when someone sits next to me.

    notagain78 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparently the thing to do is hold eye contact, pat the seat next to you invitingly, and raise your eyebrows . . .

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    #24

    Woman enjoying peace and quiet while working on a laptop outdoors with a child playing nearby. Getting paid to stay home and do, essentially, nothing. Spending tons of time with my kids.

    Also my kids loved that the school gave us school food for them to eat at home, so I miss them being excited for us to go pick up the weekly school food.

    thrifty917 , Yan Krukau Report

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Our district delivered, by bus, 1 daily meal. Got us (janitors, food service, and drivers) back on the clock. Also was able to do a deep clean of the buildings in the spring so bigger maintenance items could be done in summer.

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    #26

    Two people waving at a virtual gathering, conveying peace and quiet during the pandemic. Getting absolutely hammered on zoom with my buddies

    Ok-Camel7458 , KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA Report

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    Ron Man
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This sounds like something maybe you should all still be doing? Sounds great, and nobody has to worry about driving or spending on overpriced drinks.

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    #27

    Golden birthday balloons spelling "happy bday" hang in a quiet, dimly lit room. Being 4 years younger.

    Brucedx3 , Craig Adderley Report

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    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just turned 31 yesterday and and I'm liking it. My 30s have already been significantly better than my 20s