I know that around me, drinking lost its stigma after Easter and we didn't reopen. I was so terrified of what lockdowns were doing to human rights I certainly gave myself permission to drink more than I had before. Then we moved to Florida, I got a new job and things are much better. But I was in a dark place and it wasn't because I was afraid of covid or sick. It was mental and alcohol was a (terrible) coping mechanism.
I know that around me, drinking lost its stigma after Easter and we didn't reopen. I was so terrified of what lockdowns were doing to human rights I certainly gave myself permission to drink more than I had before. Then we moved to Florida, I got a new job and things are much better. But I was in a dark place and it wasn't because I was afraid of covid or sick. It was mental and alcohol was a (terrible) coping mechanism.
My concern is that there is no path "back" to normal. This is now normal.
Covid mortality can go away, but now we have heightened drug overdoses and alcohol-related deaths. This is horrid.