Opinion: We will be forced to adapt to a new normal after COVID-19
May 12, 2020
By now, we are all familiar with the current pandemic that is affecting millions of lives. COVID-19 is a change we were not expecting and it has been drawn out longer than anyone anticipated. The more new information about the virus circulates on the media, the more people become restless.
People are longing to return back to “normal” life. The light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t seem so clear now. The promise of the return to normalcy is thrown around by our politicians and leaders leaving us with the impression that once this is all over we will have the life we knew before the pandemic, but this a promise that is not going to hold up. We are far from returning back to the life we knew before the pandemic.
As businesses and venues begin to reopen, we see our new reality staring us in the face. New precautionary measures such as social distancing in restaurants, limiting capacity at social venues and wearing face protection when doing day-to-day activities is a way of living that we will be seeing for a while.
In the beginning of the quarantine order, I was optimistic about the idea that within a few weeks the situation would sort itself out. I pictured the day in my mind — we would get the “okay” to go back outdoors and I would be able to resume normal activities as if nothing had happened. But the more time that passed, I noticed there was no coming back from this the same way we, as a nation, had entered. A new normal is on the horizon.
This realization struck me when I listened to a podcast episode on the “Highest Self Podcast”. The host Sahara Rose and her interviewee Malaika Darville had a discussion on the doubts, heightened fears and the reality of the pandemic and how we can maximize this time given to cultivate ourselves in order to return to the new world we are about to experience. After highlighting the deadly virus that wiped out groups of indigenous people during the colonization era, Darville says our fate is similar to those of indigenous communities — a complete culture change.
“Don’t think that we’re gonna like… if the thing, lockdown, is lifted tomorrow, life goes back to as it was.” Darville said, “This is a turning point. This is a big ass turning point in the human history collectively right now.”
Although life as we know it will look drastically different once we, as a nation, discover how to combat this unfamiliar and foreign virus, I believe that this is going to be a good change. It is hard to accept that our “normal” way of doing things is not the status quo anymore, but that’s the thing about growth. It’s ugly at the beginning, harder in the middle, but rewarding at the end. We will get to the other side as a new country.
Aaliyah Alexander is a freshman studying journalism. Follow her on Twitter @aaliyahdanyell.
Of course a freshman in college is speaking about the change. You, and those in your age range, have been raised to have more fear, anxiety and uncertainty in your life then those who are a bit older and had to deal with their problems, without Big Brother, telling you what to do. One day you will say, “I remember the day….”. Your generation will have to stand up one day and say enough is enough. Look at both sides and don’t let a total liberal agenda be your guiding. I’ve stood arm and arm with my mom protesting Pro Life for women’s choice when few men did. I also spoke up against my union (teachers) as not all candidates they support I did, based on my own research and decisions.
This is not about culture so don’t make it that. We live in a class society, which has always been the case. Sleeping on the floor growing up, being kicked out of our living space since my dad did not pay the rent, mom working to not be on welfare but still instilled we become politically socialized. Not so much the case today. Families don’t sit down and talk at dinner. We did and we didn’t all agree. Made me open my eyes and say, “NO”.
If you see me I won’t be wearing a mask. You can cross the street or shame me for not. I’m not a senior or someone with health conditions so please don’t judge me. I want to live and respect your life too. I hope you took this for what it was meant to be…an open opinion also. I’m also at Aztec….!!!! ” I believe we will win”.
It amazes me how brainwashed you are. In the case of every other illness in mankind’s history, after it runs its course, things go back to normal. If you think that somehow this time is different, you have been watching too much TV, probably CNN or local news.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fHfgU8oMSo
This is about control. I implore you not to be part and parcel to it. I for one refuse to, and so do an increasing amount of Americans. The people won’t stand for this oppression extending permanently.
Yes, I intend to do just that, thank you very much. I have to let off some much needed steam.
Firstly, Nobody wants people to die from Covid – 19, albeit there is one group of people, of the lowest lowlife of which I have no concern for or respect for. But usual, everyday people don’t deserve to die from this awful disease.
However, the ”R” rate has been decreasing for a while now and yes, we should stay alert.
We should also however remove all the scaremongering, dictatorship, and indoctrination mouthed out verbally, or written upon every surface you can imagine.
I am angry about all the adverts displaying unnecessary slogans, and family friendly nonsense.
The Health Minister’s men have made people scared. It’s as simple as that.
I don’t think it’s right to allow small children back to school if they are unable to feel close, and insecure. Children need cuddles.
The ”PC” brigade have been on our backs for the past eight years or so, drumming unnatural mad messages into our heads such as the ”no clapping” in schools for fear of upsetting students [Jazz hands only!].
Banning school games etc.
Some of us want to go back to normal; so we will!
Which country will be the first to live in a normal society?
When can all groups stand together and socialise normally?
If the rate of infection decreases further, then surely, before Christmas might be a good time, or would there be too many bodies getting close and heating up the environment?
However, I am happy that the animal species have thrived, and the air and rivers have become cleaner for a while, but we have to now get on with our lives.
I think there are too many snowflakes in this world.
We have been brainwashed, so I will not be wearing a mask, and I’d like to get back on a bus soon because it takes me to places a pushbike can’t like ancient buildings, and far away cities, [We don’t drive.]
I also think people will be jumping out of the way for fear of getting the virus for years to come even when this is all over!
No more brainwashing needed.
This article would be laughable if the volume of the few who actually believe this blather wasn’t so high.
“This is a turning point. This is a big ass turning point in the human history collectively right now.” your age and lack of basic history and understanding of the human condition is showing. This is hardly the first the pandemic we have survived and will not be the last. The only thing unique about this virus is our ability to turn it into a massive political issue and a platform for the morally judgemental and our new found willingness to be weak and to cave.
“, I believe this is going to be a good change. It’s hard to accept that our “normal” way of doing things is not the status quo anymore, but that’s the thing about growth. It’s ugly at the beginning, harder in the middle and rewarding in the end. We will get to the other side as a new country. ” a good change?! Do you really want a world with no festivals, no sporting events, no live theater? Children hiding their smiles and giggles behind masks in the classroom? Never hugging a friend or receiving a hearty congratulatory handshake? Never feeling the commaraderie of large social celebrations? Never gathering in a bar to cheer your team on? Quarantining in order to travel? Virtual visits to zoos, museums, parks? Never feeling the vibration of a theater filled to capacity, everyone clapping in appreciation of a performance? Traced, tracked and followed by the government? Immune systems compromised by excessive sanitation measures? Thats the reward you want? Im sorry but absolutely nothing good has nor will come of this.
I’m sorry but if you and those ( the minority) who thing like you are the future of the world, well it is indeed a bleak future.