It is probably only a matter of time before the memory of the sparsely occupied theater and concert halls is transfigured: Oh, it was nice and quiet, nobody coughed, looked over at the program and babbled stupid stuff.
And how wonderful it was to lie there, all four of you stretching out unrestrainedly in the so-called checkerboard pattern - meters of arm and leg room in all directions.
If you had your trusted partner from the common household next to you, you at least didn't have to fight bigger fights than at home in the marriage bed.
Since in such stable relationships, especially in the period of strict contact restrictions, everything had apparently long been discussed with most of them anyway, the few comfortable seats were filled with exemplary, silent couples.
And now?
Getting used to the full occupation again is obviously easier for some than for others.
In any case, a tried and tested strategy in the battle for the armrest has not been forgotten: completely occupy it right from the start and no longer move it.
After all, the mask brings a new chance for the displaced.
All you have to do is watch out of the corner of your eye when the person sitting next to you, spreading out, adjusts the itchy or slipped mouth and nose protection and - in a matter of seconds, at least place your elbow on the exposed part of the armrest.
The masks are also a very good protection against disruptive olfactory perceptions, but only partially effective against perfume that is applied too thickly.
Anyway: In truth, all of this is better than the oppressive feeling of isolation.