Seventeen months into our struggle with Covid-19, a new and more complex adversary has emerged. You might assume I’m talking about the latest variants like beta, delta, or lambda, the ever-changing mutations of SARS-CoV-2. While these variants pose real dangers and require urgent attention from the scientific community, the more unpredictable and troubling opponent I’m referring to is the 2021 individual.
This new entity manifests in various ways – at times compassionate, nurturing, and insightful, showing genuine concern for future generations. Yet, it can also reveal itself as unkind, narrow-minded, selfish, misinformed, and at times overwhelmed by the challenges of our changing world. Unfortunately, we often overlook the importance of adapting our societal norms for the sake of health, safety, and enlightenment.
With the rise of this latter version of the 2021 individual, we seem to have lost our sense of reason, scientific understanding, and civic empathy. It feels as though we’ve entered a disheartening twilight zone, where we are more threatened by those around us than embracing a new normal that could lead to rebuilding and moving forward together.
Do you remember March 2020? Reflecting on the start of this pandemic, we often recall the fear, sadness, and uncertainty surrounding us. Those feelings were valid whether they revolved around elderly relatives, young children, or personal well-being. We questioned how the virus would affect us, who might fall ill or even die, and what this meant for our futures – physically, mentally, and financially.
Questions multiplied while answers remained elusive, making our old lives seem like a distant memory. Yet, amidst this heavy burden, there was an unexpected sense of unity and hope that carried us through those early days.
My own pandemic journey began with a move. Relocating a family of six on the very day the world began to shut down was no small feat. I vividly recall waking up on that first morning in a new, unfamiliar home, surrounded by boxes, with the news blaring about rising case numbers and a tanking economy, realizing our pantry was nearly empty.
As fear crept in and my heart raced, I looked at my sleeping children and husband, and a wave of security washed over me – we were together, we were safe, and we would get through this.
So far, we have. For personal and health reasons, we’ve decided as a family to remain socially distanced and very cautious as we navigate our return to “normal.” We recognize we are in the minority, having missed out on gatherings, celebrations, and social interactions. Yet, we have enriched our lives with family movie nights, campfires, and bike rides, fostering self-reliance and a profound family bond.
In the rush to return to pre-Covid life, many have seemingly forgotten the raw vulnerability of early 2020. That period forced us to confront our feelings, reflect on our thoughts, and truly listen to those we share our lives with. While we’ve adapted to this new closeness, our routines, priorities, and perspectives have shifted in various ways.
Sometimes, I feel lost and confused; other times, everything is crystal clear. In that clarity, I’ve become acutely aware of the judgment from others and how their actions affect me. I wish for the unity we experienced in March 2020 when we were all in this together. I worry about how this monumental experience will shape my children’s development and their view of the world.
While many seem to be living carefree, we’ve chosen to celebrate milestones quietly and enjoy our umpteenth home-cooked meal together. As others dismiss caution, we navigate the complexities of virtual learning and face the reality of limited options as a new school year approaches. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, but through it all, we’ve kept our commitment to safety and responsibility.
Now, as cases rise and children’s vaccines are on the horizon, all we seek is understanding and a little cooperation from those who may be dismissing the pandemic. Covid-19 is still spreading, regardless of what advertisements suggest.
If I could share a piece of wisdom gleaned from my experience during this pandemic, it would be this: to truly overcome this challenge, we need to embody less of the divisive 2021 individual and more of the compassionate 2020 good person.
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