We asked Chicagoans: Which activities are you less likely to go back to post-pandemic? Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“As an old guy who still takes college courses, I don’t think I’ll go back to the classroom. Online school and remote learning is the way to go from here on in. In fact, I may not go back to the office for work, either. Working from home is too convenient; I’m saving time and money working from home.” — Joseph A. Simonson
“I’ll head back to everything but the buffet line — it was always sketchy even before COVID.” — Tom P. Stone
“Getting a manicure or pedicure.” — Monica D. Reida
“Full bars. I’m done with them. Find yourself a nice hole in the wall.” — Scott Paul
“The gym, I have always thought they were a germ breeding ground!” — Meg Bogden
“Being in large crowds where I don’t know who I am standing next to will be a definite no for me. But activism remains important to me, if and when I join a protest march, I will be sure to go with people I know, wear masks and do my best to maintain space.” — Carmie Daugird Callobre
“I stopped watching tell-a-vision and started reading more, listening to audiobooks. I search for what I want to know, not what someone chooses for me to know.” — Kalvin Vino Redmond
“I won’t be going to buffets. And shaking hands, hugging and kissing will be limited.” — Jacalyn Horne Johnson
“Joining a health club or group. At-home bodyweight exercises, a few dumbells, online yoga and barre and walking 10,000 steps per day has gotten me better results. Zero fees and germs.” — Margaret McGraw
“Everything: going out to eat, going to arcades, just being in public. I don’t feel safe.” — Olivia Castellano
“Riding public transportation.” — Amber Benson
“I won’t be trying any of the samples at grocery stores or eating from salad bars.” — Stacy Tsihlopoulos
“Concerts and traveling.” — Valerie Visinaiz-Collins
“Shopping at malls. It’s online purchases only for me now!” — Laurie Alfaro
“Blowing out birthday candles on a community cake.” —Tara Russell-Cronin
“Movie theaters.” — Jennifer Brown Malloy
“No cruises.” — Erin Campbell Armstrong
“Bobbing for apples.” — Tom McCarthy