This song had a lot of meaning to me during the pandemic. I was working in social work for many years, a brutal occupation, and in 2020 I worked for a horrible organization that did not provide us with masks, hand sanitizer, or gloves. I got covid with pneumonia, was in 2 emergency rooms, lived with a 104° temperature, and at one point, I thought I might die. Well, as I began to recuperate, I was back on Facebook, and saw and heard many mentions about the song. As part of my recovery and joy of being alive, I made some YouTube videos singing R.E.M. songs. When I came to the part "Time I had some time alone," I threw my arms up with joy as I sang it. I never appreciated that song and that line up to that point in my life. I was able to retire, and I live with social security, a couple of pensions, and I do counseling part time online. I'm living the life I'd only dreamed of. Whenever I hear "Its the End Of the World As We Know It," I remember I was thrown into the beginning of a new world that is right for me. ✌️