Hoping to return to normal may prove futile

After living amid a pandemic for the past year, many are eager to return to normal. But is that even possible? The pandemic has changed many things, which may never return, at least not like they were before. Will we ever shake hands again? Some suggest that will become a thing of the past. Most think travel will resume once people feel comfortable, but business travel is likely to continue to suffer now that we can accomplish so much remotely. Work clothes may not be a thing even after the pandemic ends. Even the normally buttoned-up college basketball coaches are wearing sweats and track suits. Buffets may not be as popular after the pandemic. Same with sharing food and drink with others at our table. Free samples at grocery stores may largely become a thing of the past. That is true of public water fountains, and mosh pits. We’ve proven thanks to tele-health, we may not have to visit the doctor in person to be cared for. Will snow days be back for our schools? It seems remote learning days will replace them. Shopping at malls was already on the decline, now accelerated by the pandemic. That is also true of paying for our purchases with cash, without about 70% of our spending done by card or app. Just as we were getting used to reusing bags to haul our groceries, many stores are banning reusable bags. Public water fountains will likely be harder to come by. And long crowded lines will likely become a thing of the past now that we are used to standing six feet apart. We may be eager to return to what used to be normal, but it is not clear that will look at all the same as it used to.