I think the pandemic has given me populophobia, if there is such a thing.

[Ocelot II]

That's my made-up word for fear of people. I got my second Pfizer vaccine last week, which means next week I will presumably be about as immune as I'm going to get and can safely gather in small groups of other vaccinated people.

But I don't want to.

I used to just sort of dislike people as a species but now they actually scare me. I will be able to safely mask up and go grocery shopping instead of ordering for delivery but I don't want to because there will be people in the store. (The possibility that one of them might be armed and insane as well as infected doesn't help my attitude.) My six-foot-radius social distancing bubble, which I have come to regard as an impenetrable force field, might be pierced.

After a year of avoiding people like the plague, which is literally what I was doing, I'm going to have to get used to not avoiding people like the plague unless I want to be a permanent hermit. Some people are eager to get out and socialize, but I think it's going to take me awhile.

Am I just weird or do any of the rest of you have populophobia now, too?

[mnhtnbb]

1. Fear of people is called anthropophobia, or sometimes anthrophobia.

No, I'm looking forward to getting together with certain people, but not any or all people.

I have been going to the grocery store all along. Limited other stores. ABC (liquor sales in NC) store. Occasionally a Lowe's.

Buying a house meant I had to deal with certain builder reps in person, attend the closing in an attorney's office, etc.

[Ocelot II]

2. Well, I seem to have it, regardless whether the root is Greek or Latin.

[mnhtnbb]

3. It's a real thing. No doubt.

[blueinredohio]

9. I'm right there with you!

[MiniMe]

4. I have fear of stupid people

The people who say it is all a hoax, won't get vaccinated and go to Florida for Spring Break. Ugh. Meanwhile, 1,400 people died of covid yesterday

[empedocles]

10. Lot of people doing stupid things in many places

[Lars39]

5. I totally understand.

I had a doctor’s appointment today. I realized I’m going a bit feral...manners rusty, distrust of fellow human actions in regards to acting responsibly. My prim and proper Dr sounded totally fed up with the anti-vaxxers and maskholes, too.

[Rorey]

14. I've noticed I'm not as friendly toward strangers

I've been trying to make a conscious effort to smile with my eyes, and show recognition of those around me.

I used to be "that person" who struck up conversations with people waiting in line with me. I don't know if I'll be like that going forward.

[Diamond_Dog]

6. I think I have it somewhat.

I’m so used to staying home,and staying away from people that it’s going to take some getting used to (for me) to do things like we did before.

It also makes me realize what germ-y places restaurants are! I have not been inside a restaurant in over a year. On the contrary to people who are chomping at the bit to go back out to eat again, I’m halfway paranoid about going back out to eat at all.

[Ocelot II]

8. It will be awhile before I venture into a restaurant.

I've always enjoyed eating in restaurants, and sometimes I think longingly of some of the meals I've had - I'm pretty sick of my own cooking - but restaurants have people in them. The inherent germiness of restaurants isn't a problem for me (I've never gotten sick from eating at a restaurant), but the inherent covidiousness of the people in them is.

[Diamond_Dog]

12. If I drive my car down the commercial and business areas near me around 6pm

Every single restaurant is already jam packed every evening, so apparently most people are just throwing caution to the wind right now and going out to eat and saying, fuck it.

The number of cases in Ohio is not going down all that much, either. We are still hovering around 1000-2000 new cases daily.

This does not encourage me. BTW I enjoy dining out as much as anyone. It just makes you think twice, now, if you know what I mean....

[Rorey]

15. I know I'm the odd duck

I just find eating in a restaurant to be distracting from the actual food.

I remember having the most amazing cake once in a restaurant, and I only took a couple of bites and then took the rest home so I could TRULY enjoy it. Then a few days later I went there a bought a whole cake.

[Rorey]

11. Same for me about restaurants

I never got a thrill about sitting in a room full of mostly strangers just to eat food. I love family dinners, and am looking forward to participating in those again. My family members are phenomenal cooks, IMO, and I know that what they prepare is clean and safe. I never have that confidence in restaurant food.

[Diamond_Dog]

16. I do enjoy occasional dining out

And I’ve never gotten sick from restaurant food, but I’m not really too anxious to jump right back into normal life with gusto like many people are. It will be baby steps for me. And not for a long while, anyway. Too many covidiots out there.

[Rorey]

18. I'm a victim of my past

I've worked in restaurants, so I know the behind the scenes stuff. I'm not really talking about gross stuff, though that sometimes exists, but about the fact that most restaurant people really just don't care. I'm a vegetarian, and I know that there's always a big chance that a hand, utensil, or piece of equipment has touched my food that has also touched a meat product. The exception is when I go to vegan restaurants.

I'm just too picky, I know.

[oregonjen]

7. Yep, me, too!

I have asthma, so I’ve been at home for an entire year. When out walking the dog, I’m avoiding being near other walkers, by quickly crossing the street, etc. This whole pandemic has really taken a toll on my emotional well being. I admit, the introvert in me has been quite happy at home, but I wish to go out hug my elderly parents. A lot of people will be dealing with PTSD, which is why I’m seriously thinking about therapy.

Hugs to you!

[Rorey]

13. I'm a little paranoid about driving out of town

I'm planning to go to my son's house some time this weekend. It's about a hundred miles away, and I'm a little nervous. It's been so long since I've driven in actual traffic, but I know I've got to make myself face the fear.

But yeah, this is all pretty weird.

[PortTack]

17. I find I am distracted by ppl when at the grocery, not in a good way

Not wearing masks, or the mask is below their nose, going down the isle the wrong way..and their so smug about!! I forget what I’m there to buy because of my distraction...I just don’t want to be there with “them.”

Everyone one of them I see as an anti science trumphumper and I’m thoroughly disgusted.

[Rorey]

19. Yeah, I instantly despise them

I try to give them hate glares with my eyes.

[wnylib]

20. I walk away from them abruptly,

in the middle of an aisle and go back to that aisle after they leave.

[intrepidity]

21. Yes