18-03-2025
COVID's lasting impact: What Richmonders say five years later
It's been half a decade since Virginia had its first COVID death and prompted former Gov. Northam to ban gatherings of more than 10 people.
The months that followed were filled with back-to-back uncertainties and confusion.
Yes, but: When we asked last week what you do differently now that you didn't before, nearly all the responses focused on holding on to the community that came out of the pandemic.
Others, like Chris B., shared they enjoy staying in more — "man, that's a stark change from years ago" — especially as clubs and bars have gotten "too expensive."
A few, like Vicki W., are thankful they get to work remotely now or glad, like Lynne R., to save time via online grocery shopping and curbside pickup.
Here are more responses that stuck with us:
When she could go to restaurants again, Janelle M. joined two older couples for Friday night dinner at Mario's in Ashland because she "hated spending so much time at home alone."
She still meets with them at least twice a month.
Some, like Ceri R., say they cancel social events and wear masks while shopping when they get a cold.
"I am so afraid of getting other people sick in a way I wasn't before Covid," Ceri wrote.
Cynthia C. had six"fairly new" friends who met every week for BYO picnic lunches in their backyards and patios.
