I know a person that had been in hospital most of their life so basically a 20 year covid-type of situation but for their own health. They are 24 now, and trying to socialize still even when they didn't learn as a child-teen. I'm trying to help him but don't know what to do since he's such a unique case

Social Long-Covid?

Some lost their ability to regulate from everybody else being critically stupid, some see everybody still being dumb about it and aren't gonna play such a transparently stupid game. Some got long covid, the worst outcome of all, the thing you wear a mask to stop.

Multiple causes.

I'll be honest, the lockdowns were awesome for me. "Now you bitches get to see how I live."

And the mad increase of online ordering, no contact pickup, and how people aren't crawling up your ass in line at the grocery store anymore? I could not have hoped for better.

Small rant incoming:

I'm actually still stuck inside more than in the Pandemic. Essential worker so I still went outside daily until i never got my energy back after having covid for the 5th? time.

About 3 years of doctors not really knowing how to treat it and encouraging me to keep trying what i could each day, which led to me basically destroying my body, until i got one of my countries leading experts who immediately told me to take bed rest the second i feel tired.

Since my immune system is basically gone i got a bunch of other illnesses some of which will probably never go away since the meds only alleviate the symptoms.

Upside is that I've been trialing a bunch of expirimental treatments for the specialised clinic that is opening soon, some of which had small but immediate effects. So at least those that will get diagnosed in the future don't need to wait as long hopefully.

I call them "my people."

During the pandemic I moved to the country, stopped using social media, and got a remote working job. I think the people who used to know me assume I'm dead.

I miss the pandemic. Socially isolating meant I got to spend more time with my kids and extended family than I had in decades due to limited sports and other activities. And even work, while it didn't stop (luckily), provided more valance - especialy more than now.

I’m not placing trust in anyone who sold us out to corporations and fascists a second time

I'm in this post and I don't like it. I used to be social as hell, now I'm almost a hermit.

I think a lot of people were waiting to see the results of the election. And COVID is still very real - immunocompromised people (e.g. elderly) will need to start taking vaccines twice rather than once per year due to recent mutations (except... hrm, I dunno if RFK will "allow* such, but at least that was the most recent guidance), plus everyone could get long COVID every time they get it despite the vaccine.

The pandemic changed our world, and it's nowhere close to being over.

Also, inflation, so less disposable income to "go out" with.

Introverts? Really I had a pretty good time

I've had bad anxiety my entire life, but I never felt like I really had social anxiety before the pandemic. Now I have a hard time talking to pretty much anyone unless they talk to me first.

We had a name before the pandemic... It's "introvert."

My socializing during the pandemic was more or less the same as before or after the pandemic. I am very sensitive to sound, a introvert, a huge nerd and don't care for most of the topics "normal" people talk about like sport. I have no reason to go outside, I don't like to be at places with many people and I don't any knowledge in topic that can be used for smalltalk.

Due to this the biggest part of my social bubble is located all over the world and we communicate purely online. It was called lockdown but for me it was just a normal Tuesday.

When talking about people with ASD that's called unmasking and is one of the main goals of therapy.

Lockdown was a blast! I was paid to do what I always wanted; stay home and do whatever I felt like and not worry about other people.

Now that it's over, I haven't been able to keep a steady job. I've lost all the support I built up for myself in social situations.

COVerts?

Oh hey it's me

In my particular case, it is called "working parent"

Hikikomori

Yeah lockdown was living my best life. At least I managed to get a fully remote job with a small company several states away.

I was never really social to begin with, so I just resumed being my normal introverted self.

Partial returners seems like a good name for it.

I fucking loved it. 😁

Yeah. That's me. Or anyone I know, really. Sure cities are back to pre-pandemic chaos, but those are other people.

I choose to work from the office on most days. I use public transit. I go to the gym. I'm not locked in, but ...

• after-work drinks
• meetups
• catch up with a friend at the pub
• date night
• clubs
• partys

That's a distant past. And i don't miss it, really.

Ok, I do miss socializing, the good parts: Crack some jokes, have some small-talk, feel part oof a group of friends.

But i don't miss it enough to endure that bad parts: Forcing oneselves into conversations with strangers, "networking", drinking a beer alone in a corner of some event, going out to bar where over your overpriced drink you'll accept that you'd rather be in your living room. Bars and night clubs are a weird concept (unless you are in your twenties and really enjoy the scene): You realistically only talk the person you came with, but they can't hear what your are saying since it's loud and crowded. There may be music, but unless you came to dance, you probably have a Spotify play list you'll enjoy more. In better quality.