The Great California Lockdown: When Did We Officially Become Hermits?
Ah, the California COVID-1.0 shutdown. Remember those days? When sourdough became a competitive sport, sweatpants were the new black (and every other color), and the only travel most of us did was from the couch to the fridge (and back again). But hey, at least Tiger King was there to keep us company, right?
March 19th, 2020: The Day the Beach Became Off-Limits
Mark your calendars, folks, because this was the date Governor Newsom turned California into a giant game of "The Sims" – but with way less building cool houses and way more existential dread. All non-essential businesses were ordered to close, meaning sayonara to movie theaters, dine-in restaurants, and that quirky store that sold nothing but socks with cat butts on them.
California Turns Into a Fitness Influencer's Paradise (or Not)
With gyms officially shut down, the state collectively transformed into a land of home workout enthusiasts (or, more realistically, people who rediscovered the joy of naps). Remember the surge in yoga mat purchases and the questionable workout routines popping up on social media? Yeah, those were the times.
But Wait, There's More!
The lockdown wasn't just about businesses and exercise. Beaches were closed (cue collective gasp!), gatherings were restricted, and everyone suddenly became a sanitation expert, wiping down groceries with enough Clorox wipes to make a hazmat suit salesman blush.
How Long Did This Madness Last?
Well, buckle up, buttercup, because the stay-at-home order wasn't exactly a weekend retreat. It wasn't even a staycation. It stretched on for a cool almost 10 months, finally lifting on January 25th, 2021. By that point, we were all practically fluent in sourdough starter maintenance and could identify different strains of coronavirus based on a single cough.
California Post-Lockdown: A Brave New (Slightly Germaphobic) World
While restrictions eventually eased, let's be honest, the lockdown left its mark. We all became a little more...hand-sanitizer happy, a little more wary of large crowds, and a whole lot more comfortable in our pajamas. But hey, at least we can appreciate the simple things now, like, you know, being able to go to the beach without needing a hazmat suit.
How to FAQs: Your Lockdown Survival Guide (Should We Ever Need It Again)
- How to Make Sourdough Starter (Because Apparently We All Became Bakers During Lockdown): This one requires patience and a sprinkle of magic (or at least a good online tutorial).
- How to Entertain Yourself While Trapped Inside: Board games, streaming services, questionable dance challenges – the options are endless (and slightly desperate).
- How to Avoid Becoming a Total Social Recluse: Video calls, socially distanced walks with friends – human interaction is key, even if it's from six feet away.
- How to Not Freak Out About Every Cough or Sneeze: Take a deep breath, wash your hands, and maybe rewatch that episode of Friends where they all get chickenpox for some lighthearted perspective.
- How to Survive on a Diet of Takeout and Delivery: Invest in comfy pants, embrace the inevitable sweatpants life, and maybe learn a healthy recipe or two...just in case.
