Discover Prompts, Day 17: Distance

Social distancing isn’t just the hottest catchphrase, it’s also a new way of life after COVID-19.

β€’ My kid can’t beat up your kid anymore. In fact, with these masks on I can’t tell which one is my kid.

β€’ Siblings no longer need to draw an invisible line in the backseat of cars, a plastic shield has been erected instead. #sayitdontsprayit

β€’ Sharing staples, scissors, or pens in the office now involve a quick but thorough spritz from an alcohol spray bottle before the hand off. (It’s you not me. I mean, I don’t think it’s me. Is it me?)

β€’ Doughnut days in the break room require Bring Your Own Rubber Gloves (BYORG) before touching the baker’s dozen. (No touchy!)

β€’ Masks are encouraged in banks, but unfortunately so are urine and blood samples for identification purposes. (Awww, I just did this yesterday.)

β€’ Picking up coffee for the gang in accounting – OKAY! Taking sips from Janice’s mint latte without her knowledge – NOT OKAY! (It was never okay, but it’s really not okay, Steve.)

β€’ For Halloween this year, consent will be needed to knock on neighbors doors or ring the doorbell. Actually, it’s probably best for you kids to yell β€˜Trick or Treat’ from the curb. Then neighbors can bazooka-blast candy in your general direction. (Face shields recommended.)

β€’ Cinema and fast food drive-ins (hello, Sonic) see a resurgence – as well as chaperones for romantic dates.

β€’ Children playing outside, in their yards, or a boy in a bubble is no longer considered a strange sight.

β€’ Instead of cops saying, β€œcould you please step away from the vehicle” they’ll be saying, β€œcould you please get back in your car, sir”…

β€’ Robots are used to relay coy messages and phone numbers in pubs and bars.

β€’ The NFL becomes flag football. (But don’t worry, fresh new flags replace the ones that have been pulled off.)

β€’ NBA and NHL players are required to wear inflatable sumo wrestling suits. (Get ready to roll!)

β€’ School teachers are finally given the authority to kick out coughing, sneezing, or annoying students from the classroom.

20 responses to “Discover Prompts, Day 17: Distance”

  1. GenesisWrights Avatar
    GenesisWrights

    Thank you for this bit of humor! Much needed on a day like today!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      Cheers! They were fun to come up with πŸ™‚

      Like

  2. Shravani Avatar

    Whoa, this is a different take on the current situation! Love it πŸ™‚
    I’ve written a bunch of articles on this very topic, I’m sure you’ll relate to those!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      Yeah, wanted to do something different. Humor helps us gain perspective and I felt I was serious enough yesterday. Glad you liked it! Thanks so much.

      Like

  3. Lynh Avatar

    when bankers become phlebotomist assistants.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      Crazzyyyy. πŸ˜›

      Like

  4. Mabel Kwong Avatar

    I really dislike the term social distancing. It sounds so…upperclass and alludes to the fact we can’t separate ourselves from social. I guess the extroverted world can’t handle being introverted 😣

    Love your humour here. By keeping our distance we can all stay in our own little worlds. I’m a happy introvert that way πŸ˜€

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      A friend of mine sent me an article about how introverts need socializing too, we just need it in smaller controlled doses πŸ˜€

      Yeah, all those jokes about introverts looking in after extroverts during this time is no joke!

      Thanks for reading. I”m glad you liked it πŸ™‚

      Like

      1. Mabel Kwong Avatar

        I have heard about introverts needing socialising too! I am probably one of the weirder introverts as I’ve went months previously without socialising and people interaction πŸ˜‚

        Always like your writing, Lani. Still waiting for your second book πŸ˜€

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Lani Avatar

        Nah, you probably just needed to hunker down and do your own thing. Even in quarantine I find I have my limits of video chats and calls πŸ˜‰

        Thanks so much for the compliment! You made my day! Getting there…

        Liked by 1 person

  5. jeremyjames Avatar

    BYORG! It’s catchy!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      πŸ˜€

      Like

  6. Cindi Avatar
    Cindi

    OMG! This is fantastic!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      πŸ™‚ Glad you like it. Thanks!

      Like

  7. Gay Avatar
    Gay

    Inflatable sumo wrestling suits? I would watch that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      Right? So.Much.Fun.

      Like

  8. eswini Avatar

    Let’s also consider the beauty of ‘Hey there (I mean there there there, very far away), can I have your number?” come back. Dinner and film? Naaah.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      Ha! Theatre seating could get more spacious though! Oooo. No more listening to someone whisper the plot line to their dates or folks munching on their popcorn!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. jml297 Avatar

    Loved this take on changes to social interactions, right down to sneaky sips of other people’s drinks – definitely not okay πŸ˜‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lani Avatar

      Hahaha, thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

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I’m Lani

Welcome to Life, the Universe, and Lani. I’ve been blogging about my experiences living abroad since 2009.

At this point, this site serves as an archive as I’m mostly active at No Girl is an Island πŸ‘‰https://lanivcox.substack.com/ 🏝️where I have been both newslettering and continuing to craft personal essays on finding freedom in the fringes.

Thanks for stopping by, have a look around, and hope to see you over at No Girl is an Island.