Coronavirus, Kardashian, Trump: 15 2021 predictions
All right, here we go, the annual predictions columns. Let’s not waste any space.
1) Masks aren’t going anywhere. While the coronavirus is going to be beat back by the vaccine, masks are here to stay. Not to say we’re going to be forced to wear them, not to say everyone is going to wear them, but for the rest of our natural lives, I bet when you’re on a train, or plane, or subway, or movie theater, or equally crowded area, you’re going to see many people donning the mask. Not just to protect against coronavirus, but the cold, flu, etc.
2) We’re going to be “back to normal” by summer. Vaccines will be plentiful, anyone who wants one will have one, and we’ll be back doing the things we used to do. Sure, we might be wearing masks sometimes, but other than that: Sidle up to the bar, book that trip, invite grandma over for tea.
3) The vaccine: We’ll get out of our own way and manage to get the vaccine distributed far and wide by May. And get ready to take it again next October, you know, for cold, flu, and COVID season.
4) The worst of the coronavirus is not over. This UK variant that popped up at the end of 2020 is going to cause havoc. Prepare for potential lockdowns in pockets across the country, similar to what London is dealing with.
5) Schools will be open for business in September. No hybrid, no at-home, just regular old school.
6) The “work from home” movement will continue. Many companies will give employees the choice of where they want to work. The days of the middle manager and afternoon meetings and trying to figure out who didn’t refill the water cooler are a relic.
7) On the political front, Joe Biden will begin to succeed to bring the nation back together again after what will one day be called the Facebook Wars of 2008-2020. There was a time when we could disagree politically without hatred; Biden might be the guy who can bring that feeling back.
8) Kamala Harris is going to become a rock star. She is going to be as front and center - if not more front and center - than Biden himself. Especially - especially, especially, especially - at Democrat-themed events and programming.
9) Donald Trump … oh, Donald Trump. He’s going to fade away into obscurity as the loud and proud Trumpers of the world become a vocal minority in the actual Repubilcan biosphere. This is going to be important with #10 over here …
10) The New Jersey race for governor will be a real humdinger. First up on the GOP side, you’ve got the pro-Trump Doug Steinhardt going up against the formerly anti-Trump, now pro-Trump Jack Ciattarelli. Ciattarelli used to loathe Trump, called him a “charlatan” and that he was “unfit” for the presidency. Why has Ciattarelli changed his tune? Political expediency, duh. But here’s the thing: If I’m right about the “vocal minority” bit above, Ciattarelli made a fatal decision, as Steinhardt will out-Trump Ciattarelli and Ciattarelli, by trying to appeal to the Trumpers, will alienate the regular Republicans who, as a result, won’t bother to vote for him.
11) Gov. Phil Murphy will wallop Steinhardt in the general election, becoming the first Democrat governor since Brendan Byrne to win re-election. Why? Because by November 2021, Trump and the coronavirus will seem like a distant nightmare.
12) Here’s the thing though: If Ciattarelli manages to beat Steinhardt, he can pivot back to the center and give himself an honest-togoodness chance of beating Murphy. In fact, yes, if Ciattarelli wins the primary, he’ll win in November. 13) The Mets will disappoint. 14) There will be no major terrorist attack on American soil. And finally ...
15) A Kardashian will wear a flapper costume on Halloween and the Roaring 20s will be upon us. (Same prediction from last year, coronavirus ruined it, but really: Could you think of a better sign that the coronavirus is behind us than a “Roaring 20s” comeback?) (Related: I think Kim would look hot with the 20s style pageboy cut, just sayin’.)