COVID Chronicles - Risky Behaviour

A year ago, I would not really need to think about how to greet friends and family. Some with hugs, some with kisses. A year ago, a handshake was expected when meeting someone for the first time or seeing a colleague. That was then...

It still sometimes seem surreal when I look at just how much has happened in a year. Life as we've known it is, well, gone! And the way we greet each other has also suffered. Reverting to the past ways without knowing whether you or the other persons are free from the highly contagious COVID-19 is risky behaviour. Not only are you putting others at risk, but yourself as well by simply hugging or shaking hands.

As a low-risk or risk averse person (all depending on the circumstances), I have been doing what I can to balance life while being safe. I wear my mask, and even spray it with alcohol from time to time. I keep my distance. I do the elbow bump or on occasion, the touching of the feet greeting. On occasion, I would do an air-hug or even blow a kiss or two. If I touch a surface, be it a door or food container or even my phone, then I wash my hands or sanitize. The point is that I take the precautions.

Except one moment in time...

Recently, I paid a short visit to someone. We were both in a rush, but we did what we needed to do and then it was time to depart. Instead of what is now the usual greeting, there was a short embrace (but with masks on if one can call that a consolation). What surprised me was how natural it felt, and it was after the fact that I went, "Oh crap!". I had a moment of weakness. My guard went down. Yours truly engaged in risky behaviour!

One of the reasons this happened: in my own rough-and-dirty assessment, touch is one of my love languages. I did not notice until recent time that this was so based on things I noticed with my interactions and how I feel as a result. I hug and for those closer to me or in countries with the custom, a kiss on the cheek. Any discomfort is usually wondering whether it was appropriate for one reason or the other. One of the things I miss most on account of the pandemic is being able to hug, but I don't dwell. I adjust and move forward.

My risky behaviour surprised me but was very instructive. It reminded me that one should be careful how one judges others, because a moment of weakness can happen to us all. Fortunately, we are both doing just fine. And pray it remains so. Will it happen again? I will never say never...But knowing this weakness, I will be more careful next time.

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