Social Contacts

What has happened to us, to "society"?
The Pandemic failed in terms of deaths
But succeeded in spreading apprehension
And fear of personal interaction.
Sure, the average human's aboil with bugs,
With cooties, bacilli, and baleful ideas,
But the siege is over, the storm has passed,
The sun is shining--come out, come out!
(The mice remain lodged in their hidey-holes.)
Inured to muzzlers, some persevere, wearing them
Inside and out, alone in their cars,
(At night in bed?) and still prefer
To step into traffic than brush by a stranger
On walkway or terrace.
And filling the gaps once inhabited by
Overnight guests and the casual fling:
Emollient pets! Much better than lovers,
Or children, or friends. They don't contradict you,
And missy or mister is master for life,
No questions asked!
Are we really that feeble, that anxious, that vain?
I scour the bars and the old social venues
For likable lumps, but they're all at home,
Immersed in fantasy video chats
And wankery hobbies, no inclination
(No, they wouldn't dare!)
To commune in the maskless open air.