> (and the associated drinking) I expect this, or lackthereof, is actually the biggest single reason. Which is to say that people aren't wanting to drink much

> (and the associated drinking) I expect this, or lackthereof, is actually the biggest single reason. Which is to say that people aren't wanting to drink much anymore, so by extension they aren't going out to drink. Alcohol is known as the "social lubricant" for good reason. Despite a rise in use during the early stages of COVID lockdowns/restrictions, consumption of alcohol has dropped precipitously since — now at the lowest rate on record.