Movie theaters are a hassle. Tickets cost too much. Food costs too much. The people sitting in the back always talk too loudly. The guy sitting in front of you is on his phone with the brightness all the way up. 

And on top of all that, it’s so much easier and more comfortable to stay at home and watch Netflix. So who needs the theater?

Well, you do. And so do I. 

Movie theaters are a social experience, which is something we’re quickly running out of these days. With the rise of the internet, smartphones and social media, society is getting less and less social when it comes to in-person interactions.

And the pandemic hasn’t helped. It’s pressed the fast forward button on the decline of face-to-face social interaction we have on a daily basis. 

And places like movie theaters combat that. 

They’re a part of our social fabric that should never become just a thing of the past.

I understand that COVID cases are rising in Louisiana again. I understand that movie theaters are not practical right now. Closing theaters during this time makes sense and it’s a good decision, I agree.

Maybe I’m just too optimistic, but I think we will get back to a point where everyone can go out again. No, I don’t think things will ever go back to “normal,” but times won’t always be as bad as they are now.

Just because ordering food, clothing and movies online is easy doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. 

It’s not socially healthy to avoid interaction with others at all costs. Especially once we get to the point where we’re not caught in the middle of a pandemic.

According to the CDC, there are a lot of negative effects social isolation can have on a person. Loneliness is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. Social isolation is also associated with 50% increased risk of dementia.

That’s why we can’t give up on going out to eat. Shopping at the mall. Walking in the park. And it’s why we can’t give up on movie theaters.

If we did that, we’d be giving up on each other.