If you haven’t watched the “Walking Dead” from the beginning, the TV series opens with sheriff Rick Grimes emerging from coma into a world filled with zombies.

It was very different from the world in which he sustained his injuries. And he had to adjust quickly to his new reality to survive.

In a way, that’s what Canada’s returning vacationers are doing. The Canada they left was normal. The Canada they’re returning to has changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-isolation, social-distancing, empty store shelves, frequent handwashing.

“It’s literally a wake-up call,” said Harris Ali, a York University professor with expertise in the social impacts of infectious diseases and environmental disasters. “One of the things they’ll see right away is a more sombre seriousness, and less traffic on their way home — these ghost-town neighbourhoods.”

And if returning Canadians were vacationing in a place like Florida, for example — a state that so far hasn’t taken social distancing as seriously as other jurisdictions — this might all take some getting used to.

“There is a weird transition,” said Steve Joordens, professor of psychology at U of T Scarborough

They’ll have a “re-inculturation period,” he said, in which “they have to understand that so many of us take this so seriously; something they never thought could ever be true is true.”

Returning Canadians are being told — by every credible authority and in no uncertain terms — to get used to it right away.

“People returning from March Break travel outside of Canada and snowbirds migrating home, you must stay home and self-isolate for 14 days as you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and could spread the infection to others,” tweeted Dr. Theresa Tam, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.

For some, the adjustment has been easy — with help.

Barb Kenyeres came home from Fort Myers, Fla., to a family that seemed prepared. “Hubby picked me up ... stocked up on groceries and I had a friend pick up meds,” she said on Facebook. “No issues. I will stay in as long as it helps (14 days minimum of course). I had already been self-isolating in Florida.

“Decluttering and cleaning, crafting, a puzzle, reading. This is not the worst — grateful we have power and internet,” she said. “If everyone stays home we can flatten the curve. No one can be the exception.”

Joanne Hache arrived home last Wednesday and long term, she said, she has neighbours to help with groceries. “We’re starting our day 5. We have a motorhome so brought groceries across with us. You are allowed to bring groceries across, you just have to tell the agent you have groceries. Hoping to be able to go see my senior mother by Easter.”

That part — not being able to see family — is the hard part, Ali said.

“For (seniors) there may be more hardship associated with coming back,” said Harris. “You’re looking forward to seeing your kids, your grandkids. But with social distancing, they can’t just come into your house. People are aware seniors could be more vulnerable and you don’t want to make your parents or relatives ill. It’s that kind of personal stuff that will have the most impact.”

And it’s not as if there’s been no news at all about what to expect — social media, in particular, is playing a big role in preparing returning Canadians.

“People are online, they probably had an idea of what’s going on back home,” said Ali.

Still, those who have recently gone through Pearson airport say the message is not strong enough, that overcrowding in the customs hall and a weak set of questions from Canadian border agents do not set a proper example or create a sense of urgency regarding self-isolation.

That said, the message beyond Pearson seems unanimous.

“We need people to have even further co-operation in staying home, not going to work, not going out shopping more than necessary, not going to places where they see a crowd of other people,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory. “If you see your neighbours wave at them across the street, don’t go over and talk to them ... It’s not about being anti-social, it’s about being anti-virus, beating this thing so we can get this city going again and give people a sense of hope.”

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But there are anxious days ahead. Those who were early adapters to new social norms, like distancing, and those who are new to it face the same uncertain future, Joordens said.

“It’s basically having our rituals — what we do to get ready for work, what we do at our coffee break — ripped from us,” he said. “So not only is that ripped from us, things we do that guide us in the short-term, but we have no idea where this is all going. We have no idea what the longer-term implications are.

“It’s not only a big change in the world, it’s a change to what? Everything we do, every way we lived our lives before, that’s probably gone.”