I know the feeling.
Uair
In Estonia, you can still get an old fashioned Motorola stick phone without a camera or GPS. They remember the Soviets over there.
I think the trend away from carrying a tracking device will only fade after we've deposed and imprisoned trump, eliminated the republican party, and put all the MAGA assholes in prison or a grave. Millions of them.
I certainly hope the trend of making it harder for the authorities to know everything about you continues.
I'm a huge fan of King's early stuff and had read the 800p "The Stand" half a dozen times before the 1200p version was released. I didn't notice anything in the long form that added to the story. I say his editors were right to cut it the first time.
This is an unpopular opinion, but I really think you can skip 400 pages without losing anything.
As far as pandemic themed books, "The Stand" by Stephen King wears the crown.
"The Andromeda Strain" by Michael Crichton isn't bad, either.
@AlternatePersonMan
Hitting was bigger, but notice nobody has their head down up against the wall or in the corner. They protected themselves rather than trusting the refs to do so.