Things won’t be ‘normal’ ever again, but that’s OK
Even if a coronavirus vaccine appeared today, and even if everyone took it, and even it works 100% I may as well add and “even if a mature oak tree sprouts from my belly button - I don’t think the effects of the coronavirus are going to disappear anytime soon - or ever.
Let’s take masks for instance. In the mid-2000s, I traveled extensively to Thailand. And in Bangkok, masks were everywhere. I don’t want to make it sound that everyone wore a mask, but they were plentiful. Asia had dealt with SARS in 2003, so that’s one reason. Air pollution may have been another. But when on the Sky Train, or in crowded places, indoors and out, a good chunk of people wore masks. They were for sale everywhere.
I expect a decent-sized chunk of Americans will be wearing masks like this going forward. Why? Because it helps prevent disease. Dig this: The flu is practically non-existent in the southern hemisphere right now, where it should be raging. Why? Almost certainly because people are wearing masks.
Seriously: It’s 2030, dead of winter, you’re on a packed New York subway. You don’t think half the people - or more - will be masked?
OK. So there’s that. But there will also be smaller things that probably will change forever.
For instance: Can you imagine being at a co-worker’s birthday party, and out comes the cake, and then the person blows out the candles, and then everyone eats the cake? Yeah, me neither.
What about handshakes? I think there’s a 50/50 chance I never shake someone’s hand again. I also think I’m no longer expected to do that stupid fake hug and kiss routine with women who I’m not currently intimate with.
The list is long, my friends. Even when things get back to normal, there are going to be new protocols we’re all going to kind of accept and fall into. The bulk of them will do nothing more than limit the spread of disease. I’m fine with that. Besides, I look damn good in a mask. Better, sadly.