Imagine this: Lights flash blue, then purple, then green on a crowded 7th floor, people moving freely between rooms with drinks in hand and disposable camera flashes going off to commemorate the first party since a vaguely distant March 2020. Everyone is excited to be seeing new, friendly faces not covered with cloth masks, hearts beating fast and the rush of adrenaline just because of the close quarters. The music is blasting, and not even the neighbors seem to care, because they, too, are celebrating the end of a pandemic.
After a year of staying at home (or, at least, quarantining in between moments of socializing) and the world being put on pause, people have been starved of socialization. Meeting with old friends and making new ones are a priority for most people, as celebrating the wonder of life and survival of a pandemic is the top priority for most. If history repeats itself, as it tends to do, we may all be living our Great Gatsby dreams soon.
What happened a century ago
In the 1920s, following the first World War and the 1918 flu pandemic, the economy surged. People indulged themselves in all things hedonistic, including parties, alcohol, traveling and sex.
World War I lasted for four long years, from 1914 to 1918. It was one of the bloodiest conflicts in history, with 16 million people — soldiers and citizens alike — dead. The 1918 flu pandemic — which killed at least 50 million people globally — followed after the war, posing another joust with death for those who had already survived no man’s land. Thanks to the war and the pandemic, people were suffering the after effects of severe loss, leaving individuals yearning for an escape from the turmoil they had just barely survived.
For those that had somehow made it through it all, they wanted to live it up. They partied hard, regardless of how much they had in their bank account. The general attitude towards employment was that it was more important to experience the world — given all that they had already endured — than surrender themselves to work, which played into the economy inevitably crashing later that decade.
Many of the historical events that happened prior to the famous flapper era are repeating themselves today: We wear masks like they did during the 1918 pandemic, and try to avoid bustling crowds and public transportation. We only go out when it’s absolutely necessary, and a revolutionary vaccine (in 1918: the flu vaccine) is being rolled out that signals a possible end to our misery. Once we’re able to reach a large enough percentage of vaccinated population to reach herd immunity, you can bet that people will hit the town, ready to cash in on the fun. Will relying on impulses and desires to spend last long enough to create another renaissance in the 2020s? I asked seven college students what they thought, and here’s what they had to say.
Predictions from college students
“People will likely still be apprehensive — if you sneeze, people will give dirty looks. I also think that many people will continue wearing masks, especially during flu season. Concerts and clubs will be packed and people will travel more, having put off plans last year. Personally, I’m looking forward to celebrating holidays with family and friends. Ramadan is a group holiday of praying, fasting, eating, and volunteering — it’s not the same during quarantine.
“I think that it will be a lot like the roaring 20s, but not because of all of the glamour and prosperity. It will be similar to that time because the gap between the rich and the poor will continue — we’re already seeing this with hedge funds trying to take control of the free market, large corporations creating monopolies, no protections for the working class, etc. So yes, people who are already rich may have a roaring 20s moment, but maybe not for the majority of us.” – Ishrat, 19, Hunter College
“The first thing I think people will do is eat out, because it’s a pretty universal thing. The travel industry will see a big spike. The thing I’m looking forward to most after the pandemic is not having to worry about killing my grandma, and being able to eat new things without the worry of catching corona.” – Angela, 19, Duke University
“Once we get back to “normal,” everyone is going to have different opinions about the way we lived before. Some people will want to keep doing the precautions we take now, like wearing a mask. Others will be eager to go back to the way life once was. I missed out on studying abroad because of the pandemic, so hopefully once this is over, I can try to travel on my own. My hope is that the 2020s will be full of happiness and celebration.” – Sameen, 19, St. John’s University
“People will look forward to attending concerts, parties, get-togethers — practically any social activities in large groups. The roaring 20s is a great analogy to what I think will occur simply because getting out of the house and being able to interact with people without fear of consequences (physically or socially) will lead many people to engage more with one another.
“But I also think in many ways it doesn’t have to be like the roaring 20s. Perhaps instead we will raise a collective, skeptical crowd. Perhaps parties and social situations will never be truly the same because even with the vaccine there may be a fear of further encountering strains that our bodies aren’t ready to tolerate. Working from home, which is being implemented further across larger businesses, will eliminate the need for long travels or even typical in-person office space interactions.” – Vidhima, 20, Columbia University
“Once everyone is vaccinated and able to go out, I think many people will want to see their families again (if separated by long distances). I’m looking forward to reuniting with my friends. First, we will have to return to a sense of normalcy before anything happens. But I wouldn’t be surprised if people started celebrating and trying to recreate the 20s.” – Tracie, 20, Arizona State University
“I think everyone will clamor to eat out the most, but some people will definitely throw big and small parties too to celebrate the end of the lockdown (social distancing). I’m looking forward to eating out with friends and family, going to New York City, and seeing my grandparents. I also am looking forward to traveling and going to concerts.” – Melissa, 20, New York University
“I think it’s going to take a long while and a big cultural shift before people begin to move on from the pandemic and the lasting mental effects in addition to the physical effects it’s leaving. I think people will be most inclined to spend time with others and party is something we haven’t been able to do for a long time — people are socially starving. What I’m most looking forward to, is being able to have a reason to leave my apartment every day and socially interact. I’m also looking forward to being able to spend time with my friends in large groups and going out and enjoying our time in college.
“I’m not sure if we will have a roaring 20s moment. With the current issues our world Is facing and our current political climate, I’m not sure if a roaring 20s would be appropriate. But then again, you can never predict how things will go on you can never be sure.” – Rose, 20, Baruch College
I also believe that the first thing people will do is see their families; I’ve been away from home for a year now due to my work at a pharmacy, and hope to see my sister and brother soon. While I also hope to hang out with all of my friends, not have to wear a mask at all times and be able to go to crowded concerts and arenas, I don’t know how soon that will come (or at what price).
Given that we’ve all been stuck indoors and haven’t had the time to show off all our quarantine outfit hauls or the trendy, graphic eyeliner we’ve been practicing in the mirror, one can expect a partygoer to go all-out when the time comes. Big, lavish parties will likely be on the rise, but parties in general like basement raves or sweaty clubbing will be just as popular. The time immediately following the pandemic will be like an adrenaline rush, where we’ve been reignited by seeing old friends’ faces in the flesh instead of over Zoom. It doesn’t matter how much the champagne costs, whether you’re wearing designer or not, or if your guests are A-list celebrities — it’ll all come down to just celebrating the presence of other people who are dancing to the rhythm of the music.
Not everyone will have the resources or privilege to party once restrictions are lifted, but I hope and believe that we all have the chance to return to some state of normalcy. Spring time is almost here, and a world more recognizable and joyful is on the horizon.