Look, Don't Look Now...COV-ID, unCOV-ID Bodies. 

COVID, Undercovered: COVID as a topic was certainly covered, perhaps overly so, for many of you out there. Concurrently, there were many who found themselves under covers more...literally. That is, especially early in the pandemic, we saw a steep increase in reports of people whose circadian rhythms got out of whack 'overnight', who found themselves sleeping, at least lounging more, all the while not reporting an increase in stamina. Otherwise, not just in the northern climates throughout winter, many people also remained more at home, under 'semi-cover' and finally, most of us were not shedding clothing in public as much, whether it was to go to the beach, the gym, or...? Thus, why fuss? Why go to the trouble to look good, to continue working on our 'beach bodies' or whatever term appeals to you...

Zoom Gloom - Body Double, Trouble: At least it seemed like it, that after a period of retreating from good habits and hiding under the covers, as we started seeing ourselves on camera -- OMG! is that how I look, it looks like I've gained so much weight, the CV 19 everyone's been talking about, and that's only the parts they're seeing on camera...maybe if I change the position of my laptop..." After which many redoubled their efforts to get back into some type of routines of working out (or starting for the first time for others) and otherwise healthy habits...

Don't look at me, body 'dis-formia': Technically, it's referred to as "body dysmorphia" -- a condition where one (more often females) are preoccupied with a perceived flaw(s) in their body, sometimes to the degree which leads to avoidance...so, while they are spending excessive time examining themselves, they don't want anyone else to look at them...a condition that is many times temporary, transient, whereas for the unfortunate subgroup a lifetime of self shaming may persist and require professional intervention (which itself may have been started from shaming by others, even just one or a few influential people)...in contrast to...

Look at me, body 're-formula': Technically referred to as tattoos and body piercings, there are an increasing number of ways, short of plastic surgery, people have rearranged or changed their original epidermis ('birthday suit'). Early in the pandemic, at least, dermatologists as well as many tattoo artists, were cautioning against getting tattoos or body piercings, not because of having to go into such establishments, but because such openings may expose one to the increased risk of infection. On the other hand, there are displays on the 'net' of tattoos many have managed to obtain through the last several months despite, even to spite COVID, such as tattoos of Rosie the Riveter with face mask, a young boy with a health care worker in his hand as a super hero, a picture of the globe veiled with a face mask...in all these cases and those preceding the pandemic, it sure looks like those pursuing such body reformations are not shy about having them viewed...except when applying for certain jobs (which is why you can frequently find a "Tattoo Removal" booth across the street from tattoo conventions).

Look at what I can do, with my body! The perspective I actively promote, to be active, a body in motion! For when you are preoccupied with what you can do with whatever body type you were born with, you tend to be less preoccupied with what you look like, what you are wearing...oops, I correct myself after watching a NIKE ad and looking at my OUTSIDE magazine, featuring a plethora of cool looking (literally this time of year) apparel, implying that if your dermis is partially covered with this brand, you can climb higher, dive deeper, hike to more remote areas, and otherwise enjoy engaging your less-than-perfect body with our ever expanding horizons as we come out from a prolonged time of being undercover...un-COVID at last!