"We've survived countless pandemics. There have been about 20 pandemics in the past 200 years and we've survived them all. So most people will bounce back." Most of us will adapt quickly to life post-pandemic and the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, says Taylor, 'just like people rapidly adapted to wearing masks.'(Bobby Hristova/CBC) Some anxiety is normal Initially, Taylor expects to see a range of reactions, from exuberance and "hypersociability" to anxiety as people cautiously â or not-so-cautiously â resume regular life. Taylor said it's normal to feel some trepidation about returning to our normal routines and increased social interaction. After all, we've been told that proximity to others comes with risk for more than a year.