The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

Coronaviru­s 2020 changed life forever

- L.A. Parker Columnist L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @ LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.

U.S. residents will feel forever the effects of COVID-19.

An extremely long time and perhaps drastic but considerin­g that 177,000 residents have died in just six months, plus, projection­s tout 250,000 could pass away before a vaccine, Coronaviru­s 2020 will leave an indelible emotional, familial psychologi­cal, spiritual and financial mark.

Life will never be the same as we deal with lost loved ones, friends and coworkers.

And with limitation­s on crowd size, those dearly departed never received proper memorials. Any ideas that we can make up for these losses with future ceremonies disconnect­s from real-time emotion.

A friend transition­ed from a large wedding to one that included five people. No gifts. Perhaps a celebratio­n when we can stand closer and in greater numbers.

Masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing will stick around long after this pandemic ends. We have seen the future and it looks disappoint­ing, distant and disastrous.

While this outbreak appears accidental, we now have a serious glimpse of the death potential of biological warfare. This disease crippled our nation and continues delivering daily challenges.

Coronaviru­s killed thousands and contaminat­ed millions as scientists attempted comprehens­ion about the virus.

God did not die although no church services created a spiritual separation from congregati­on members. When worshipers do return, no handshakes will coincide with peace offerings.

Sports, athletics and recreation pursuits suffered tremendous hits. Profession­al athletes have a limited amount of time to win championsh­ips and to set records. Coronaviru­s extracted valuable minutes, hours and days from those pursuits.

High school and college athletes witnessed seasons ending during playoffs while most schools canceled spring seasons.

Consider all events from prom to promenade missed by seniors while underclass members attempt to maneuver through online or remote education.

This pandemic changed the way we travel, dine, love, live, etc. as a new normal arrived.

Still, silver linings exist as many survivors understand better the gift of life, health, family, and friends.

It’s true — living through difficult challenges makes a person stronger and better.

 ?? JOSHUA L. JONES — ATHENS BANNER-HERALD VIA AP ?? FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2020, file photo, a student, wearing a face mask, enters the school book store at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga.
JOSHUA L. JONES — ATHENS BANNER-HERALD VIA AP FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2020, file photo, a student, wearing a face mask, enters the school book store at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga.
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