Will We Go Back to the 'In Crowd'?

In an earlier life, for many people, being part of a crowd, was a seriously pleasurable experience. Spectators enjoyed the banter, the cameraderie and excitement, of watching a sporting occasion in person, rather than on TV. You were a minor participant rather than simply a watcher. Clearly, many of the sports stars, respond to their audiance (who pay part of their wages and follow them). Many of the spectators also got a sense of belonging, by supporting a particular team (often by wearing expensively purchased 'kit' and/or travelling to away events). The same could be said, for the audiences assembled to watch pop concerts, go to festivals or take in stand-up comedy. At the upper end of the market, going to the theatre or to a classical recital, were serious pleasures for affectionados. Films seemed better in a cinema, than simply being watched on a TV (even one with the biggest of screens and Dolby sound). There are also many aspects of our economy, where crowds are part of the business model. Substantial numbers of people were employed to support events with crowds (e.g. roadies, stagehands, bus drivers etc). I suspect (and hope) that many of us look forward to a post Covid-19 pandemic day, when we can go back to some or all of these group activities. I am wondering, however, whether some people will now always feel uncomfortable in crowds. We have been required to greatly limit our social contacts for an extended period. People have also been repeatedly instructed to hand wash, to socially distance and to wear face masks. Avoiding crowds has been part of this. Accepting the risks of being with large groups of people who you don't know, might suddenly feel like a fundamental change too far. Some people have always found it difficult to be in a crowd but we might have 'trained' others to become averse to large gatherings. The end of the pandemic might well leave substantial numbers of people socially isolated. It is also possible that crowds will be regulated in ways, that were unthinkable before Covid-19 (stadia, cinemas and theatres might be modified).