Bye, Bye, Boxoffice
Has Hollywood finally given movie theaters up for dead? Or have movie-goers given up on Hollywood?
Cue the listicles about things COVID-19 changed or destroyed forever.
“10 things that will never be the same after Covid.” “4 things we won’t miss in the world, post-Covid.” “3 ways to tell if someone’s been vaccinated (without asking them).”
But first, we have to venture out of our houses and pods again to determine what’s left of our old world in the post-Covid apocalyptic landscape.
What survived? What is barely limping on, zombie like, across the retail wasteland?
What is gone forever and will we miss it?
Almost undoubtably, we are returning to a cleaner world, if not a saner one. At least, we are returning to a world more aware of germs. But a world beset, alas, as ever, with the filthy burdens of our excesses, including our Covid-19 excesses, as evidenced by the discarded masks, disposable gloves, and other detritus littering neighborhoods and highways.
Yes, littering is back, unfortunately. Single use plastics, which were also on their way out, are back with a vengeance as well. Everything is now hygienically wrapped, hermetically sealed and insulated in as many layers as possible in sterile plastic.