You order groceries and dinner online and have them delivered BY someone who leaves them on your doormat. You text friends and email business asociates. You may even feel that you don't need human contact any more. Psychologist Dr. Elaine Eisenman says that won't last. "People need people around them to reinforce and confirm how they feels about things. "Human beings are social. They thrive, they cherish, they desire, they need the company of other people. Distancing has been agonizing!"
Dr. Eisenman predicts when the non-essential businesses and activities are again opened, we'll have lunches with friends and go to a lot of postponed weddings and see what we've missed. Already more people are back to actually talking on their phones instead of texting, and board games are becoming popular again for families. Dr. Eisenman suggests ZOOM group conversations with relatives, friends and neighbors. And Governor Abbott recommends outdoor exercise where you can at least smile and wave at your fellow person.