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anthropause

noun

  1. the pause in human activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic
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Wiktionary

noun

Etymology: From anthro- + -pause. Coined by a team of researchers and scientists in June 2020 in an article discussing the possible impact of COVID-19 lockdown on wildlife.

  1. A global reduction in modern human activity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The enforced global 'anthropause' during part of 2020 was also a reminder of the importance of timing: we have become used to having the things we need.

    Thus, the COVID-19 lockdown has led to a significant global reduction in human mobility, notably travel, causing an “anthropause” (Rutz et al., 2020).