Americans once enjoyed great individual freedom from both a government and a social perspective. Neither has been perfect, but perfect is in the eye of the beholder. The government did well throughout much of American history to leave its citizens alone. Likewise, the social constraints to which Americans have been subject over time have lacked any form of totalitarian control. That fact has changed drastically in recent years, but until the era of Covid, we have enjoyed much leeway in our ability to function socially in America.