New normal
Some new habits, procedures will stay with us
Thoroughly washing hands, not touching our faces, keeping hand sanitizer handy and thoroughly cleaning commonly used surfaces will hopefully continue to stay in our routines.
Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, we also should continue to wear masks or face coverings over the mouth and nose, keep our distance from others, avoid crowded spaces and accept the reality of temperature screenings. These safety procedures will continue to be important, especially because some who carry the coronavirus do not show symptoms.
Now that I am acutely aware of how widely and quickly viruses spread by simply coughing, sneezing and laughing, via singing and even talking, I will continue to be cautious, even after we have an effective vaccine. I will always be suspicious and deem it extremely rude and inconsiderate when someone coughs or sneezes without covering their face.
So, we might as well accept the necessity of wearing a mask or some kind of face covering. This is the new normal. Embrace this precaution. After all, as Shelby County Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter said, “We must create an environment where masks are the norm.”
In addition to medical-type masks, there are now masks of many designs — sports logos, polka dots, paisley prints, floral designs, African and other ethnic patterns. They even sell masks to match your swimsuit or bikini. The point is — wear a mask when in public to protect others and to protect yourself.
How we greet others may be forever changed
No longer will I be a hugger. Kisses are out altogether. And, as respected immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci has said, “We can forget about shaking hands.” Yes, I’ll adopt some of the peculiarities of the obsessive-compulsive television character Monk. Elbow bumps and a pleasant nod will be my way of saying “hello” and “nice to meet you.” Congratulations? A perky thumbs-up will work.
Like millions of others, I’ve canceled travel plans, even road trips, in recent months.
I’m especially disappointed to miss the annual getaway my sisters and I have shared for more than a decade. We were hopeful, but it probably won’t happen this autumn. Actually, I don’t plan to travel until next spring, and I’m praying circumstances will make it feasible then.
Over the years, I have traveled quite a bit, even internationally. Good thing I’ve seen some of the world, for traveling may be changed forever. Wearing a hazmat suit to the airport, as some have done, is overkill, but wearing a mask when traveling is the new and necessary normal.
Most airlines require passengers and staff to don masks, and some airports require them also. For your own protection, wear your mask, keep hand sanitizer handy and be careful about touching doors and counters — whether traveling by plane, train, bus or car.
Like travel, great restaurant meals were once a favored treat for me. While sheltering at home, I’ve occasionally enjoyed a tasty restaurant meal via delivery or curbside pickup. I look forward to a delicious sit-down meal with friendly, efficient service. And, of course, I know it will be different now.
In the near future, my favorite restaurants will be at most half full, and customers will be spaced at least 6 feet or two tables apart. The waiters will wear gloves and masks, as will the kitchen staff. It is hoped that the gloves will be changed often.
We will make our selections from throwaway menus, and in some cases restaurant employees will be screened when they report to work.
The new normal in the office
During the pandemic, many office workers diligently have worked from home using videoconferencing tools for meetings and to communicate with supervisors, co-workers and clients. That may be changing for most, though Twitter and Square announced that their employees will have the option of continuing to work remotely.
As people begin to return to office towers, responsible employers want to keep their staff members safe; undoubtedly there will be changes and control measures to benefit everyone’s health.
The trend before COVID-19 was toward shared, collaborative spaces. Cubicles and desks were placed close together, creating dense workspaces ideal for teamwork. However, some predict that office spaces will be redesigned to allow more space between workers.
Dividers may separate workers, and conference tables will have to be bigger so employees can spread out. Cubicles may be larger and more isolating. Of course, hand sanitizer will be readily available, and everyone will be cautious regarding elevator buttons, door handles, staircase rails and other commonly touched surfaces.
Such measures also are being taken at factories. For example, as one automobile company reopens its assembly plants, partitions to separate line workers are being installed, workers are required to wear masks, and temperature checks are taken on everyone who enters the workplace.
Traveling may be changed forever. Wearing a hazmat suit to the airport, as some have done, is overkill, but wearing a mask when traveling is the new and necessary normal.
Telemedicine, churches and more
In recent months, doctors have used telemedicine to see non-urgent patients, and it has been a great success. In fact, it has worked so well that Bluecross Blueshield of Tennessee, which insures 70% of the state’s private insurance market, announced it will make telehealth services a permanent part of its coverage. Other insurers probably will follow that lead, making sure that telemedicine is part of the new normal.
Unfortunately, large gatherings may be no-gos for months to come. Family reunions have been canceled, and so have small conferences, big conventions, sporting events, concerts and festivals.
And while Tennessee houses of worship can now decide whether to bring their members together in sanctuaries, many are opting to continue to worship together while apart using technology. Until there is a vaccine for the coronavirus, attending large events can be dangerous.
That’s why the new normal is hosting virtual conferences and televising sports events with no spectators. That works for now.
As we recover from the drastic impact that COVID-19 has had on our country and the world, we know that the virus has taken more than 92,000 precious lives in the U.S. and more than 300,000 lives worldwide.
Yet there is cautious optimism that we can resume our “normal” lives.
The new normal will be, or should be, a life where good hygiene, distancing, masks and screening play a more intricate role. Until a vaccine is available, the new normal will require that we remain cautious while living more safely.
Lynn Norment is a Memphis journalist who previously was an editor and senior writer for Ebony magazine. She can be reached at normentme dia@gmail.com.