The New Normal

We used to take many activities for granted. Such as going to the grocery store, going to a restaurant, among others. Now we can’t. Everything has changed. We need to change our way of thinking and how we live our lives. Maybe things will go back to what we called “normal” once there is a vaccine that will protect us against the virus. But getting to that point is at least a year away.

Wherever I go now, I always wear gloves and a mask when I have one. I avoid going shopping unless I have to, and won’t go just for one or two items that can usually wait. I also use disinfecting wipes every day to clean doorknobs, light switches, my cell phone, etc. I wipe anything that I think could have come in contact with an infected person or a surface that might have been contaminated. This is a huge change from just a few months ago.

However, I can’t get used to standing in line to get into a grocery store. And even worse, there are long lines to pay and get out. In addition, you’re lucky if you find most of the items on your shopping list. Frozen foods and baking supplies are frequently out of stock. We see reports on TV and online that people are baking more and hoarding food.

It seems to me that many people will have to size up the next time they buy clothing…….. 🙂 as the gyms are closed, outdoor sports have been banned, and many parks have also been closed. I guess all that’s left for people to do is sit around at home and eat. Oh well…… Now that I think about it…… it’s not a bad idea……… 🙂

Everyone has become a chef or baker these days. People put their creations on YouTube, including my neighbor who couldn’t fry an egg without burning it. He hasn’t been working since the virus showed up, so he is busy baking. He bought tons of flour, while I can’t find a single package for sale in the grocery store.

Whenever he bakes something, he knocks on my door. When I open it he always says “sorry to disturb you” (SO DON’T) and pushes his head in without wearing a mask which unnerves me each time. Then he asks if I can taste his creation and I think to myself……. “why me again…  of all the neighbors”……but I say nothing. A glimpse of what he holds in his hands, that looks more like a sole than a cake……. is enough for me to decline his request……

The truth is that most of the time I come up with some excuse not to be the taste tester. I didn’t survive the Coronavirus to die from eating his “Inventions”……….. 🙂 The funny thing is when I ask him to sell me some flour, he says “Oh no, I need it for my YouTube videos”…………. What the hell, this is how you treat someone who risked his life for you?!……. Oh well, at least once in a blue moon……… 🙂

Anyway, I wonder how restaurants and coffee shops will adapt. The take out area was always small, and the waiting space also had people standing right next to one another. The seating section will probably have fewer tables available, with them all spread out more.

Another possibility is time limits on tables. In other words, you could only stay at a table in a restaurant for a maximum amount of time. I have a vision of a hostess with blowing a whistle and shouting “Next”…… 🙂 This could work if people ordered their meals online ahead of time. I could see take out and delivery being a much bigger part of their business from now on.

The experts have been consistent about keeping a distance from others. This makes a lot of sense, and I admit it took me a while to get used to it but I adjusted. Then I see stories on TV about large numbers of people going to parks and beaches and not following social distancing protocols. It is irritating although I understand that everyone is tired of staying indoors, and want to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather.  But being too close to others is a good way to either infect others or be infected by someone else. Besides, what about being responsible……….

As much as I enjoy going on vacation, I couldn’t imagine getting on a plane now. The airlines had poor reputations for years regarding the cleanliness of their planes. And now we are supposed to believe that all of a sudden the planes are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected? And last but not least, there is no such thing as social distancing while on a flight. I have no faith that flying will be safe for passengers anytime soon.

There are also big adjustments in doctor’s offices and dental offices too. Many doctors are only speaking with patients by phone or by video calls, and their offices are closed. Dental offices have also been closed except for emergencies. Maybe there will be fewer office visits with doctors from now on. It’s too early to tell, but I’d rather not have to sit in a crowded waiting room for my turn to see a doctor. On the other hand, it’s hard to get your teeth cleaned or have a dental check-up by video conference……… Who knows, maybe right now someone somewhere is already working on a new startup…. a self check-up and cleaning dental device………….

I have a feeling more and more people will be working from home, and video conferencing will be a bigger part of our lives. This isn’t such a bad thing as people spend a lot of time commuting to and from work. The roads are always clogged, the buses and subways are full, and it amounts to a lot of wasted time and lost productivity. With more people working from home, companies will need less office space which hopefully can be used for other purposes such as more housing in our urban areas.

In that case, employers should pay us much more as they’re saving piles of money on office space…… Yeah right ….. When hell freezes over………………