The New Normal May Be Permanent!

What is the “normal” we’re all clamoring to get back to in our lives?  Or, is it possible that our current way of life — or, what some are calling the new normal — is here to stay?

Lifestyle
Prior to the pandemic, people worked 80 hour weeks, slept 4 hours a night, survived on fast food as nourishment, rarely saw their families, and raced from meeting to appointment to the gym to the store to home — before starting all over again.  However, those days may be done.  Further, the days of packing into a theater or arena or airplane unmasked and unprotected may be over as well.

Yes, folks, welcome to the new normal.  This past year of wearing a mask everywhere, avoiding coughing or sneezing in public (or dodging those who do), social distancing as much as possible, and washing our hands a half dozen times a day was not some temporary fluke that will magically disappear one day.  Oh no!  Get used to ‘the new normal.’

Let’s discuss the changes that are permanent:

Handshakes are dead.  Going to the office Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 is already a thing of the past for many occupations.  Flying halfway across country (or the world) just to attend a business meeting is outdated.  Crowds are almost certainly a thing of the past.

However, here’s what we can expect as we go forward:

Just as is common in most Asian countries, masks are here to stay and will likely remain a common sight, especially while on public transportation.  Since most employees will continue working from home, empty office space in most major cities will remain obsolete and will likely be converted into affordable housing (as is already being discussed in New York City).  Movie premieres and new releases will happen less and less at movie theaters and more at home via premium movie services.  In fact, the practice of traveling to a lone location just to watch a movie while eating a $12 bag of popcorn is about to become as necessary as owning a VCR.

Additionally, the COVID vaccine will become essential for everyone.  No one will be mandated to get the vaccine, however, those who choose not to will be prevented from traveling on an airplane, or attending a concert, or doing just about anything that involves being in public.

In fact, Europe has already begun experimenting with what they’re calling a “Vaccine Passport.”

European officials announced last week plans for a “Green Digital Certificate,” which would allow anyone vaccinated against COVID (or who has tested negative or recently recovered from the virus) to travel within the European nations.

In the US, New York State has launched a digital Excelsior Pass that will allow residents to either prove they recently tested negative for infection or have been fully vaccinated. The passport will be available via a cell phone virtual wallet app (on iOS or Android) or a printout to flash a QR code.

Madison Square Garden in New York City has already started using Excelsior Pass and Broadway theaters and concert venues are expected to soon follow.

Currently, anyone wishing to travel internationally, attend the taping of a television show, or participate in some planned public activity is first required to take a COVID test and produce a negative result (within 72 to 96 hours).  However, that method will soon become obsolete with vaccination passports.  In fact, many have already begun to laminate their vaccine cards as proof of health status to gather with friends or even go on a blind date.  Health officials believe a passport will become a simple method of identifying those who are COVID-free, which could then allow them quick entry into bars, restaurants, theaters, sports stadiums, and almost any airline in the world.

So, it’s time to let some of our pre-pandemic practices go and accept much of our current way of life as ‘the new normal.’

Oh, the times, they are a’ changing.

OK WASSUP! discusses Lifestyle News:
Welcome to the new normal.