I'm in the UK: went to my usual hairdresser at the start of the fakedemic. Idiots in visors and masks sprayed me and took my temperature when I walked in, told me I could not hang up my coat but had to keep it on my knees when I sat down. Then the stylist refused to come near me because I would not wear a mask. Should have asked if her's wasn't working, but got angry and walked out
Tried to find someplace else without success; same Covid protocols, some even charged extra for the spray! Two years went by, my hair grew longer until I felt I really needed to get it cut. Went to a very basic salon that caters for men, women and children. No masks, no sprays, no appointment needed. Got sheared for a fraction of what I used to .pay. Huge relief.
The lady who cut my hair said "Everyone's had enough, time to just get on with life" Felt quite emotional after, finally getting back to normal - THANK GOD!
Maybe it depends on what state one lives in. My wife and I are east Tennesseans and she's had no such problems getting her hair cut....and she's quite picky about how she looks, so she goes to a mid- to high-brow salon. Now at the worst of it (when the fake media was putting out stupid numbers) she MIGHT have worn a mask, I don't know, but none of that other paranoia you mentioned.
But in the larger scheme of things, the Grand Experiment To See How Many People Would Obey The Government started breaking down almost as soon as it was implemented. First in rural areas where people are fiercely independent, then in Southern states. Eventually that defiance spread to other areas.
In my own Tennessee county, our great, conservative County Mayor stripped the county health director of her powers because she had overstepped her authority and mandated masks, vaccines, and all sorts of dumb things that she had no authority to enforce.
Glad you're back to some sense of normal.
The facade was very strong in the UK. I had to stop watching Preach on YouTube despite absolutely loving his content where people with insane wow guild stories would submit them for a weekly story time. They lost big numbers to the covid protocols and even more with mass clotshotting since then. I don't blame our UK pedes for feeling such a burden being lifted.
Maybe it also has to do with national characteristics. In a simplified world view, it seems to me that the Brits are MOSTLY a compliant demographic, as are Canadians. But most Americans (at least the ones I know) tend to be anti-authoritarian and downright anarchists in our approach to authority.
A meme I have attached to my outgoing emails says "Americans be like..." and it shows a sign that says NO TARGET SHOOTING....and of course the sign is riddled with bullet holes. 'MURICA!!
That's what I love about Americans! I come from a long line of fighters and refuseniks so am not a typical Brit, thank goodness.
Yeah, banjo!!!! Never met a restriction I didn't want to fight!!
Please send me this. I must have it. Lol
https://imgflip.com/i/1ukzgv