The Coronavirus has instilled war in every country it has entered. There is no question that this virus will change all life as we know it. This new life is referred to as the “new normal”. I still refuse to believe that anything right now is going to be normal. Some people think the “new normal” will consist of having to social distance forever, or at least until there is a treatment for this monster. Thinking of social distancing for any longer makes me sick to my stomach, as we all need human contact. My image of the “new normal” is different. People will have a significant shift in their priorities. My “new normal” is people being overly cautious to prevent another pandemic like this. My “new normal” is people appreciating their friends and family more because they weren’t able to see them for over three months. 

Even after the Coronavirus is well past us, the human race will never completely emotionally recover. Although we will not be forced to wear masks for the rest of our lives, some people will voluntarily take these precautions because of the emotional scar that this virus has ensued. If a cough is heard in public, what will go through shoppers’ heads?  Flashbacks to an empty supermarket with no toilet paper rush through their heads, reminding them of what happened the last time someone coughed in public. In an article in Discover Magazine, the writer Elizabeth Svoboda had very similar imagery in mind. She says “In the following years, signs bearing the message ‘Spitting is Unlawful’ sprouted up in places like train stations” (Svoboda). Yes, not spitting in public places is common courtesey, but being arrested or fined for it has never been a punishment that I would imagine for someone spitting in public. In the future, not covering your cough can also have the same outcome as spitting in public: being arrested or fined. In general, this pandemic has induced mental trauma on the human race that we may or may not be able to come back from. An article on Vox captured my thoughts perfectly. The writer wrote “There will be a lot of damage to be undone as people try and rebuild some semblance of a normal life” (Blum). People will be in fear for a long time, even after a vaccine is developed, just because no one ever wants a pandemic of this extent to ever happen again. Even when the “okay” is given to go outside, who is going to risk it? 

On a more positive note, being stuck inside has given us time to realize what is truly important. Spending time with our family, while it has driven us crazy, has definitely built relationships. Being stuck inside in a closed space with my parents after not seeing them for a month made me remember how much I relied on them when I lived at home. They do so much for me and lift me up when I’m not feeling like my best self. The use of social media has also helped with building relationships with family and friends that you can’t see on a daily basis anymore. An article on BBC brought up a really good point. The writer said “Even if you neglected to keep in touch with someone over the years, it’s almost certain that people will speak with you now if you pick up the phone and call. And since we are having more meaningful, deeper conversations, we feel more connected to the person we are speaking to”  (Wen). I’ve realized that being in a situation like this makes you think about the people that you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Whether it’s a family member that you haven’t spoken to or a friend that you drifted apart from, being confined to one space allows you to think about everyone that you care about in life. I see myself talking to my aunt that lives twenty minutes away from my house more than when we were able to see each other in person. We will have more campfires and movie nights with friends just because, at one point, we weren’t able to come within six feet of each other. Being home makes you appreciate the simple things in life. A small thing like “Seeing how happy your dog is to have you home 24/7” brings joy to my face every day when I wake up (USA Today).

The Coronavirus is definitely going to change our lives for the future. It will instill a permanent state of fear in our minds about having another pandemic like this, but it will also make us appreciate everything we will have when this is all over. 

Svoboda, Elizabeth. “How The COVID-19 Pandemic Will Change the Way We Live.” Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2020, www.discovermagazine.com/health/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-will-change-the-way-we-live.

Wen, Tiffanie. “How Coronavirus Has Transformed the Way We Communicate.” BBC Worklife, BBC, 9 Apr. 2020, http://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200408-coronavirus-how-lockdown-helps-those-who-fear-the-phone.

Blum, Sam. “The Legacy of the Pandemic: 11 Ways It Will Change the Way We Live.” Vox, Vox, 16 Apr. 2020, http://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2020/4/16/21213635/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-legacy-quarantine-state-of-mind-frugality.

USA Today. “100 Little Things That Bring Us Joy during the Coronavirus Pandemic.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 14 Apr. 2020, http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2020/04/13/coronavirus-quarantine-100-little-things-bring-us-joy-right-now/2958802001/.