We are still living in weird times. So many people are still divided on whether or not covid was some governmental conspiracy or if we are really on our way out of it all and back to normal (whatever normal means these days). I tiptoe on the line of wanting to be respectful and cautious but also being totally over the division and lack of clarity of it all. Covid has transformed over the past two years from a scary death machine to something that seems more mainstream, like the common cold. I have heard every theory and conversation about the vaccine and what is good and bad about it. I have laughed at my fair share of memes, I’ve had mask-ne (yes, that is mask induced acne), and I caught covid in January after being innocently exposed by a friend who was unaware she had it.
My thoughts and feelings about avoiding it or being overly cautious have slightly fallen to the wayside and I err more on the side of just wanting to be with my people again. I want to see your face. I want to hug you. I want to go to a big event and enjoy the non-verbal communication going on all around me, the smiles, the waves, the facial expressions. I don’t believe that masks are bad. I believe they help and they are needed but I am not pro-mask all the time either because it is scientifically proven that breathing in your own air all day isn’t good for you. Regardless I am not here to debate, quite frankly if you start to debate with me I will say “you win” and walk away. That is the level of over-it I am these days.
One thing I keep coming back to is the effect on our social skills, what will be considered “normal” as we emerge out of this pandemic season? Are we going to have people that are still being cautious and don’t rsvp to your in-person gathering? Are we going to have massive, mask-free, and mosh-pit type events again? I feel like we are bordering on these extremes. People are a little social norm confused and I do NOT blame them. I sort of am too, and I am an EVENT PLANNER! How do we respect people’s comfort levels but also press forward with life? I guess, the answer is that at some point we will probably offend someone.
After I had covid in January I got on an airplane and flew to San Francisco for work. I had followed the CDC and my companies requirements to isolate before traveling and wore my N95 mask everywhere to be extra safe and cautious; no one I was with got sick, I felt good to travel, and overall had a great trip. I credit my mild symptoms and ability to get back to reality so quickly to the fact that I got vaccinated last April/May and got the booster in December. I am not going to make anyone feel bad about not getting vaccinated (that isn’t how I roll) I believe you should be able to choose, however, I was shocked with how several of my friends judged my travel after having covid. I didn’t realize that there was a level of discomfort that even I had contributed too in earlier months when I hadn’t been exposed or sick yet.
I immediately felt bad that I ever judged anyone for getting covid and not quarantining for “long enough” whatever that even means or meant. I even looked at the event my company was hosting in San Francisco differently. I wasn’t nervous to travel for worry of getting exposed or sick. The feeling was liberating and I wanted everyone to feel the same way I did. But I know that will never happen. We are humans with varied opinions, agendas, backgrounds, and experiences. We wont feel the same, clearly, and several people will probably talk really loud about it and share their views on social media. However, I hope (and pray) that the feeling of normalcy will enter the chat sooner than later. With mask mandates lifting and no new news of another variant on the horizon, I think hope for a new normal is in the air!
Please note that the above is not written to be divisive. I firmly believe in everyone taking care of themselves to the best of their abilities and am open to the fact that what that means looks a little different to us all and is always changing. Please be safe and if you have any questions regarding current COVID news and guidelines, see the CDC’s website.
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