Now we Know — Our Normal was Dysfunctional

Lessons from a Pandemic

Remember when we craved a ‘return to normal’?

I admit it, I did. We simply want to go back to my life as it previously existed. I wanted to cram into a packed arena for a concert. I want to go to the gym and use a treadmill without a care. I want to eat in a crowded restaurant and even — dare I say it — eat a salad that I created from a salad bar.

Hugging strangers. Breathing on each other. Close talkers.

Three months ago, these things may have been simply an annoyance. Today, these could be life-threatening.

Our return to normal will likely never happen.

Back in the Day

Our pre-COVID-19 lives feel quite distant.

The cavalier attitudes may have nearly killed us. We all have those friends on social media posting about how they drank out of a hose, ate at that diner that had obvious health code violations. The mock those of us that may understand science or perhaps simply have a reasonable respect for experts in these matters.

I understand. You will probably not get sick. Probably.

But then again, I probably won’t be in a car accident, but I still wear a seat belt. I probably won’t get skin cancer but I still wear sunscreen. I probably won’t have a million things happen, but taking precautions is adulthood.