We hear about the "new normal" every day! But what exactly is it? I don't exactly know, YET!
Back in the 70's and 80"s, when we traveled and flew commercially, I can recall going to the airport, with my paper ticket in hand, walking all the way to the departure gate without anybody challenging me for security reason. When family and friends came to see me off, they were also allowed to go to the gate, no questions asked. Security was pretty lax those days. When people started hi-jacking planes, we responded by placing metal detectors at the airports. THAT was the new normal. Then we had 9/11 and the terrorist attacks. Our government established the TSA, and now we have all kinds of security checks. That was another "new Normal".. When we went to Europe last December,we had to go thru Xray machines and TSA checks, and taking off our shoes and all the things in your pockets, and placing things in plastic baskets, and waiting in LONG lines. I don't like it, but we got used to it. We know what to expect.
So now we got COVID-19. We self-quarantined. We stopped shaking hands or hugging. Stores and restaurants closed. Businesses conduct meetings via Zoom, and employers found out that their employees CAN work from home. Families now have zoom accounts and chat on the phone or computer. Wearing masks has become a fashion statement for some, and a 'new' business for others.Oh, yes...and another common term we hear today: Social Distancing! Restaurants,, theaters and other businesses opened with reduced number of guests, and masks are for the most part optional, but recommended. In many States Governors put out orders that they ARE mandatory, due to increased cases again.....I don't like wearing a mask, I can't breath and it gives me a headache, I like having the option to wear one or not wear one...but it seems like the "new normal" will be to wear one for a long time to come. Also, one of the major things is the churches not being able to assemble, or even sing in their choirs? Why? Going to a place of worship, weather it is a church, synagogue, temple or mosque is not allowed and it's not "essential", but protesting in big crowds and rioting is OK? WOW! Is that going to be the "new normal"? How come nobody is protesting about that? I guess some groups are starting to protest and I say GOOD FOR THEM! We all need to voice our opinions without fear of being arrested. This is still, or should be, a free country where ALL citizens have freedom of speech.
Back in the 70's and 80"s, when we traveled and flew commercially, I can recall going to the airport, with my paper ticket in hand, walking all the way to the departure gate without anybody challenging me for security reason. When family and friends came to see me off, they were also allowed to go to the gate, no questions asked. Security was pretty lax those days. When people started hi-jacking planes, we responded by placing metal detectors at the airports. THAT was the new normal. Then we had 9/11 and the terrorist attacks. Our government established the TSA, and now we have all kinds of security checks. That was another "new Normal".. When we went to Europe last December,we had to go thru Xray machines and TSA checks, and taking off our shoes and all the things in your pockets, and placing things in plastic baskets, and waiting in LONG lines. I don't like it, but we got used to it. We know what to expect.
So now we got COVID-19. We self-quarantined. We stopped shaking hands or hugging. Stores and restaurants closed. Businesses conduct meetings via Zoom, and employers found out that their employees CAN work from home. Families now have zoom accounts and chat on the phone or computer. Wearing masks has become a fashion statement for some, and a 'new' business for others.Oh, yes...and another common term we hear today: Social Distancing! Restaurants,, theaters and other businesses opened with reduced number of guests, and masks are for the most part optional, but recommended. In many States Governors put out orders that they ARE mandatory, due to increased cases again.....I don't like wearing a mask, I can't breath and it gives me a headache, I like having the option to wear one or not wear one...but it seems like the "new normal" will be to wear one for a long time to come. Also, one of the major things is the churches not being able to assemble, or even sing in their choirs? Why? Going to a place of worship, weather it is a church, synagogue, temple or mosque is not allowed and it's not "essential", but protesting in big crowds and rioting is OK? WOW! Is that going to be the "new normal"? How come nobody is protesting about that? I guess some groups are starting to protest and I say GOOD FOR THEM! We all need to voice our opinions without fear of being arrested. This is still, or should be, a free country where ALL citizens have freedom of speech.
One good thing out of all this, is that people are more cautious now and they are practicing better hygiene. People are washing their hands more often, and staying 6 ft away. I like that. I don't like people being too close and invading my 'space'. Also, with all the unrest around the country we are finding out how hateful some groups are and how some groups would like to destroy this country and what it stands for. We need to stand up and be counted.
Hopefully all the people who lost jobs, will be able to either get back to their old jobs, or find new employment. Small businesses that suffered a lot of loss, may recover, but it will take a while. Unfortunately, some will have to close their doors forever. I hope there is no more lock downs, and I hope kids get to go back to school soon. Schools are very essential for the development of young children, and the more they stay out, the more they will suffer in the long term, Some of these decisions made by our government officials may have saved some lives from the virus, but have destroyed lives in other ways. Crime is up, suicides are up, alcohol and drug abuse is up, child and spousal abuse is up....all the bad things are up..We need to get back to normal and we have to re-unite as a nation, as ONE people.
We will find out what the future will bring. You never know. As we saw in the last few months, when we thought all was well, we got the unexpected protesters and looters, rioters and destruction. What a total shock. Destroying property, killing people, and getting rid of the Police is NOT going to make things better, it will make things worse. Getting rid of our history, destroying statues, changing names of our military bases, or naming hurricanes with "black" names (I just heard about that one today..one of the Congresswomen suggested that), is NOT going to make things better. It looks like people care, but they don't. If they did, all these things would not been happening today. It should have all been fixed long time ago, with all the different people in power. We better wake up and get our senses back before it is too late.
One thing is certain, whatever the "New Normal" is going to look like, WE will survive. We are a nation of survivors. We are a nation of diverse backgrounds, natives as well as immigrants, and a people in search of the American dream. In the meantime, let us practice what we learned, be kind and patient with people, stay safe and healthy, and may God forgive us and bless us ALL.
One thing is certain, whatever the "New Normal" is going to look like, WE will survive. We are a nation of survivors. We are a nation of diverse backgrounds, natives as well as immigrants, and a people in search of the American dream. In the meantime, let us practice what we learned, be kind and patient with people, stay safe and healthy, and may God forgive us and bless us ALL.
