normality.com

I question if the concept of normality is the same today as it was two years ago.

We can talk about a new normality perhaps, because we will never go back to the same normality we had prior to Covid.

Work: even some though some of us are gradually returning to the office, the vast majority will only do it 2, 3/5 days if any at all. Working remotely has forcibly become a new normal. But that also brought a double benefit. The commute is now also quieter and the environment is thanking us.

Shopping: is now (for me) actually more enjoyable. You may find the odd queue, depending on where you’re going, but it is quieter. There’s no pushing, no stress. So, ok, I still use the mask (and I will do, in more crowded places), probably for the next two years, at least.

Working out: if it’s outdoors, it’s never an issue. Indoors, yes it can become complicated. Again, less is better and quieter. At my gym, we have pre-measured designated spots and continue to keep the numbers down. However, after the last numbers have creeped up we decided to give it a break to safeguard our holidays.

Travelling: has become a luxury, more than ever. Not only you pay for the trips and the stay, but now you need to pay for mandatory Covid tests both ways. We are paying at least a third more for our holiday costs.

Schools: This is a close one to me. The whole way the British Government has been addressing Covid in schools is just a big LOL. Bubbles don’t work (or make sense) and I don’t feel schools have done enough to stress the risks and consequences to thr children. They think they’re superheroes! They forget that they are as much of a walking weapon as they are immune…

Socializing: We will be living with a general suspicion of everyone around us being a possible carrier, wheather it’s a stranger or a family member. As if we were constantly in the middle of one of detective Poirot’s investigations. Our conversations will now always contain the words Covid, testing and vaccination.

The whole ritual of sanitising, wearing masks, scanning QR codes (another pointless act, to me) is all far from what I remember to be normal.

Let’s face it: Covid is not going away anytime soon. One more flu variant we will probably need a boost for every year.

Back to normal everyone. Just act casual. Nothing to see here.