One thing I have not felt during this pandemic is any more lonely than before. In fact, probably less. I'd always feel loneliest when forced into social situations that I just don't enjoy: lunch with coworkers, parties, etc. I've been much happier without implicitly comparing myself to the extroverts. I have a few people I regularly talk to, but no "friends": my wife, 2yr old son, in-laws. This quote from the article causes anxiety, not hope: "One day quite soon, a bell will finally ring and we will rush into one another’s arms, like so many schoolchildren."