Day 65 and the 'new normal'

What parts of our 'normal' today will we carry through into ... forever ... whenever?

I envision having a wardrobe of masks. Maybe a fancy one for going out to shows or dinner. Something fun for when I get together with friends and family. The ones that have been washed a lot and are a bit tatty might do for going to the gas station but not for the grocery store where I might run into someone I know. But, masks are probably part of my life for at least the next couple of years.

What about the weekly neighborhood cocktail parties, 2-3 couples only, spaced 6 feet apart? When everyone gets back to work, school, everyday life, will those continue? Will everyone get back to work, school, everyday life?  Or maybe once a month get togethers with a few neighbors, just to stay connected? Electronic communication will probably lean more toward Zoom, Room, Face Time and less toward plain vanilla phone calls.

What will "work" look like? Twitter has announced that their employees can all work from home ... forever. As other companies realize that employees can be just as productive working from home, will that become the new normal?

And as people realize they don't have to be geographically close to where they work, will there be a gradual (or not so gradual) exodus from urban centers to more pleasant places? Will we choose where to live by the climate, or geographical attractions, or closer to friends or family? This is where intentional communities can thrive -- you can live where you and your tribe choose, not where your employer happens to be.

Some retail workers will still need to go to a workplace, but already grocery stores are pivoting to self-checkout. Mail and packages will still need to be delivered, but drones and robots are starting to take that over. Manufacturing has already been invaded by the robots.

Restaurants and bars cannot be digitized or "remoted" but when will people feel safe again to congregate?

Will most sports spectators still want to watch in person? Or will TV be good enough? How about "live" theater? There is something to be said for experiencing those up close and personal.

How will school change? Will El-Hi school become more fragmented? English and History classes online; Math and Science classes in a lab; fewer students in each class? How will young children be socialized? Will there still be day-care and pre-school?

Note to self: revisit this on 5/20/2025