Searching for lost time in a new phase of the coronavirus

The “Washington

Post” recently published an article “In Search of Lost Time” that encapsulated a view that is right on except it might have been published somewhat too soon for much of the country, especially the South and the West. Because we do not yet know what states are gaining and which are losing in the battle against the Covid-19 virus — and in any event, that description can change at any time — an article describing thoughts on even partial reopening carries the risk it may be out of date by publication date. We do not yet know where Pennsylvania will be a week or month or several months from now.

For us, in Chester County, having just on June 26, been reclassified from “yellow” to “green,” the article makes some interesting points I have not seen elsewhere. Admittedly, we worry that people may be carried away, join large crowds, throw caution to the winds, discontinue wearing masks and take other risks but we begin to venture cautiously beyond.

The other side of the equation is what do we do when we “come out” even slightly. The question is how do we reset time when so many things have been eliminated or postponed. Do we continue? Do we reschedule a month or three or six months from now? Do we leave everything open trusting that we will eventually know whether that conference or meeting (or wedding or celebration) will take place? Then there is the question when do we actually return to something that we once considered “normal.” Others follow. How do we separate what is “essential” from what is “non-essential” activities, not just businesses.

The question is how do we reset time when so many things have been eliminated or postponed.