Despite Rising COVID Cases, Will This Be the Real ‘Hot Vax Summer’?​

​“Even domestic travel was restricted,” the 79-year-old recalls. “The idea of sitting on an airplane for five hours — or longer — or going to New York City and wearing a mask everywhere didn’t appeal to me.”​

​As borders reopened and many pandemic restrictions were lifted, Brothers began booking international trips. Over the next six months, he has plans to travel to Mexico, Idaho, Indonesia and Montreal before embarking on a rescheduled five-month, around-the-world cruise (the original trip was canceled due to COVID).​

“I’m trying to make up for lost time,” he says.​ ​

It’s not just international travel and milestone celebrations that are top of mind; people are starting to feel more comfortable gathering with friends and reengaging in activities like dining out, book clubs and recreational sports leagues that were canceled during the pandemic. ​ ​

“People just feel isolation and COVID fatigue,” Sniderman says. The virus hasn’t been banished, she acknowledges, but “with mandates lessening and governments easing up restrictions, I think people will take this as a sign that it’s OK to gather.” ​

​COVID-19 still exacts a toll ​

​Broughton, who contracted the virus in December 2020 and developed symptoms of long COVID, including blood clots, trouble breathing and extreme fatigue, remains cautious. The concert tickets she purchased are for an outdoor show, and most gatherings she has planned with friends will take place outdoors, too. ​

​“The fear isn’t gone; it’s always going to be in the back of my mind,” she says. “But I’m starting to feel a little more comfortable [doing more things].”​

​More than half of Americans believe the worst part of the pandemic is behind us, with a recent poll showing 49 percent have eaten at a restaurant and 47 percent have visited friends, even though 23 percent feel the pandemic will never end, according to research from YouGov. ​

​But a separate poll found that 30 percent of Americans believe life will never return to normal and more than 20 percent predict it will be 2023 or later before they feel comfortable traveling or attending concerts or sporting events.​

​“There is a huge amount of anxiety about what summer will bring [and] everyone is wary of trying to predict the future in a highly fluid situation,” says psychologist Bonnie Olsen, professor of clinical family medicine at the University of Southern California. “People are all over the spectrum — from ‘I’m going to do what I want’ to ‘It’s still not safe and I’m going to continue with all of the precautions.’”​

​Broughton says that her comfort levels shift depending on the circumstances: She’ll welcome vaccinated and boosted visitors to her home this summer and attend outdoor gatherings, but she turned down invitations to indoor events and canceled plans to spend a weekend at a beach house after learning that some of the guests had not taken similar precautions. ​

​“It’s hard to keep good friends at arm’s length because we’re not on the same page" about COVID precautions, she says.​

​Olsen acknowledges that constantly monitoring COVID-19 case numbers, personal health, vaccination status and risk tolerance when considering invitations or activities can be exhausting — and could take a toll on friendships. In addition to being vigilant about COVID-19 risks, she encourages vigilance when it comes to staying connected with loved ones.​

​“Early in the pandemic, we were all in the same boat [and] now we’re not,” she says. “We need to be communicating our needs without apology and asking, ‘How can we still connect?’”​

​Broughton is taking a gradual approach to resuming pre-pandemic activities: She started with outdoor dining and trips to the beach before making plans to board a plane and attend a wedding. She might not be ready for a hot vax summer, but she is excited just to be making plans.​

“I feel like the worst of it is behind us,” she says. “I’m hopeful.”