Moving Forward Into Phase 2 Of CV19

As we move into what may be considered Phase 2 of the Coronavirus epidemic, many people ask themselves, what’s next?

As we enter Phase 2, people start to emerge from their homes. People will wonder if we are back to our previous “normal” or are still in the “new normal.” I find that a good thought as many things have changed, good and bad.

The Bad

Businesses still require masks to be worn.

You have to prove that you have taken the vaccine to fly.

The science behind the vaccine is still in its infancy. We have no way of knowing the long-term effects.

Small businesses are trying to recover from the massive financial hit. Not to mention the many that had to close due to no income.

Mental illness is also at an all-time high due to seclusion and lack of human interaction.

Unemployment is still high as people struggle to find work with a salary large enough to pay their bills.

Families with elderly parents faced months of separation.

Buying online has always been popular, but it skyrocketed when the shutdowns began.

I put online buying in the bad category due to many small businesses that suffered from the sudden shutdown orders.

Most of these businesses did not have a significant online presence. In comparison, the large companies excelled because they can afford to amp up their online availability.

Even today, it is almost impossible to buy furniture or appliances without a 6–8 week waiting period.

The Good

Many people started working from home, which changed the dynamic of the workplace.

Cleanliness is also at the top of the list in businesses and the workplace. Although, this should have been a priority before the virus.

Families are back to spending time together again. Before the shutdowns, how many board games did you play together, sat down at the table, and ate dinner together? I know our family did not do this as much as we should have.

Homeschooling has become popular, and many parents love it! I never thought of myself as a homeschool parent, but I am so glad that I decided to homeschool my children.

Families are reconnecting and can see each other again after a year of being apart.

Where do we go from here?

I consider this question to be more on a personal level. Everyone’s experience with Covid has been different, but taking Phase 2 one day at a time may be an excellent place to start. Things are still changing at a rapid pace.

For me, it is still a world of uncertainly. I have learned a lot this past year. One important lesson was not to take my family for granted. I was one of those parents that were part of the rat race every morning — rushing to get kids to school, rushing to get to work, rushing to pick them up from school, running to their practice, rushing home to each a quick dinner, and rushing off to bed to get up and do it all over again the next day.

We never spent any time together. All we did was rush from point A to points B through Z. Never taking the time to enjoy each other.

Another lesson to be grateful for is my job. Unlike many, I am thankful that I can work from home.

Unfortunately, people who cannot work from home either lost their job or are considered essential employees. They started working countless hours to ensure that everyone received the care they needed.

Are you ready?

Are you ready for a new way of life? I don’t know about you, but I feel that life will never return as the life we once knew.

We have to be ready to understand this new way of life. We can accept it or fight it but, either way, it will continue no matter how we feel about it.

Take Away

Phase 2 may have more questions than answers, but I hope that during Phase 1, we were able to take the time to think of our priorities in life.

Most importantly, slow down and enjoy life. Covid has shown us that life is short, and we cannot take it for granted.

Life is full of uncertainty, we all know this, but our new normal of Phase 2 can leave us feeling more uncertain.

I hope that one day we will be comfortable enough to shake hands and hug each other. Human connection is vital to our survival. We are not robots. Humans need to show love and affection towards one another.

Remember to be patient with each other.