My New Normal Part 2

Now that we are  already halfway through 2020, I’ve been contemplating the world around me. When I wrote “My New Normal” 3MONTHS ago, I didn’t know what my future would look like. Yesterday, the mayor of Tampa made it a requirement to wear face masks in public that can be met with a fine if not obeyed. Social distancing is still heavily enforced (although I’ve seen some establishments do otherwise). 

My 2 year old Lauralie understands that I can’t leave the house without a mask and loves to help me put it on. She knows to stand on the designated social distancing stickers that she sees when we are waiting in line at the grocery store and in restaurants. Every week she tells me “Church is still closed again!” as well as “Disney is closed mommy, we can’t go!” She’s not upset anymore, it’s more of a fed up tone coming from her. I just tell her she’s right. When we pass a playground that has caution tape surrounding it, she points it out and let’s me know that it’s closed as well. 

As time continues to pass by, I’m realizing that this “New Normal” could be here to stay. But I also wonder if we as people were living in a unhealthy way from the start. We were careless when it came to gatherings of strangers in a concentrated area at concerts and sporting events and eating at buffets. We never thought to second guess it because that’s just how we did things. But let’s say the virus were to disappear today… Would we go back to “normal” and disregard masks and not be concerned with gatherings? Will we ever have a chance to find out?

My sisters turn 21 next month. We have no idea what the world will look like then. Will nightclubs and bars be open for them to visit?Do I need to buy them masks with their gifts since this is the new norm? I’m planning their birthday as best as I can, but the future is more unpredictable than one could have ever imagined.