Do you really believe that we have surmounted COVID? Even if the emergency is lifted will you still wear masks and take precautions, or is it back to old normal right after? I personally would remain wearing masks and avoiding crowded places for a while, even for years.
Paranoia and all that. Even with two boosters, I still wouldn’t risk it. How about you?
The COVID pandemic is over, it’s mostly just a regular disease now. Viruses are a normal part of life that we have to learn to live with, I personally would not want to hide at home or run around with a mask all my life. You could just as well stop crossing streets because you could be hit by a car at any moment.
On the contrary, in a broader sense we also have to think about the acceptance of these measures in society. If there is an emergency then most people understand that and are willing to follow guidelines. But if you declare normal life as a state of emergency then people will get tired and hesitant for the next real emergency.
If you’re paranoid about this stuff then maybe try to get help. There are things in life that can potentially harm you and that you can’t control, and that’s fine. They should not scare you to the point where you can’t live your life the way you want to anymore.
Healthy paranoia is reasonable when we think about safety. Wearing masks, personal hygiene and avoiding crowded areas are pretty much like using seatbelts, helmets etc. Worrying about safety isn’t the same as being afraid to the point of disability.
Paranoia is literally the opposite of reasonable (by definition), but I’m not here to tell you how to live your life. If you’re fine and happy with how you handle things then by all means, continue what you’re doing. I just thought you might be unsure and want some input, because you asked this question.
I personally think wearing seatbelts and wearing masks are different, because seatbelts are much less restrictive and annoying (considering the circumstances), easier to implement in everyday life, and the risk of a serious accident and injury is far greater. But everyone has a different take on what they consider acceptable risks and precautions, and things might be different for you if you’re at a higher risk of getting infected and seriously ill for example.