By John Lawless
As an unorthodox Easter weekend has drawn to a close, we are now upon Canada's fifth week of isolation and physical distancing. For many it feels like it has been longer than a month, and people are longing for life to return to normal.
According to a study from the Angus Reid Institute, nearly half of Canadians are looking to simply just reconnecting with one another. Forty-five per cent are saying they're looking forward to giving someone a hug, while one-in-three say they can't wait to spend time with people outside of their households.
4,240 Canadians were polled, and here were their answers for what they are most looking forward to when the COVID-19 threat has subdued:
- Hugging friends and family: 45 per cent
- Reconnecting with people: 34 per cent
- Going to a restaurant/bar: 31 per cent
- Going back to work/the office: 16 per cent
- Going on vacation: 16 per cent
- Going shopping: 11 per cent
- Going to the gym: 9 per cent
- Watching live sports: 7 per cent
- Going to a concert: 6 per cent
Some other key findings were that four-in-five young people (18-34) were spending isolation streaming movies and television. Women were particularly excited to get out and hug their friends and family, as 55 per cent of women voted for it compared to 33 per cent of men.
It seems the men were more interested in having a meal at a restaurant or watching live sports, as 35 per cent of men opted for those two compared to 27 per cent of women.
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