I'm not really sure what I'm most looking forward to, because I have to echo sentiments that it's still a little bit too soon to be making any long-term post-pandemic plans. There's certainly hope, but I don't think 2021 is going to be the ultimate end of the pandemic.
However, this is a subject that I've been thinking about a lot, and it's been impossible for me to properly express how I feel about this without inadvertently trivializing the countless illnesses and deaths that this disease has wrought. So, in case it isn't obvious, COVID-19 is a terrible, terrible disease that has cost too many lives and its impact on our lives physically, socially, emotionally, and economically can not be understated. However, while I wish they had all come from better circumstances, there have been so many good ideas and innovations to have come out of this pandemic that I honestly hope we don't completely do away with restrictions. Bear in mind, these are based on my experiences in my part of the world, so I don't claim that these are all universal truths by any means.
One such thing that I have grown to appreciate is the regulation of traffic in busy grocery stores. The mandate of at least six feet in distance has given way to a new system that is loose enough to allow for some basic forms of autonomy for shoppers, but is rigid enough that it allows traffic from shopping carts and basket carriers to remain relatively organized. I used to somewhat dread trips to the grocery store, because on weekends especially, I would find myself having to awkwardly fumble my way through other shoppers and rowdy children, because foot traffic would always be in such a state of disarray. Now--in conjunction with lower maximum capacities, to be perfectly fair--I feel that browsing the store is a somewhat more leisurely experience and I've found myself facing a noticeably decreased difficulty in getting around.
Distance learning is also something I find absolutely fascinating from a technical perspective. Last September, I was assisting my niece and nephew with their distance learning, and I was actually quite impressed at the way it was being conducted. There were so many different ways the teachers could interact with students and vice versa. More recently, the two spent the week with my family to attend a funeral, and as long as they had their laptops, they didn't even have to miss the lecture. It's brilliant. To be able to travel without missing school work would have been extremely helpful when I was that age. I do definitely want in-person learning to continue to be a thing. But I think with some more time in development, distance learning can be an extremely viable supplement to in-person learning. The only thing holding it back is probably the people running it. None of the teachers intimately knew how to use the software, which isn't necessarily their fault as this is new for everyone. But it appears very little was done to actually prepare students and teachers alike for the challenges of distance learning. And I think that's a shame, because it has cast a rather unflattering light on the concept itself, which isn't fair. The software is up to par and works extremely well most of the time. Far better than any of the computer-aided classes I had taken when I was in school. But without people who are properly trained to use it, the potential is sadly squandered.
I even think masks are great. I do hope one day we will get to the point where they're no longer necessary 100 percent of the time, but encouraging people to avoid spreading germs by wearing a mask when they're sick has been an uphill battle for western countries since... well, probably forever, if I'm being honest. I can empathize with people who simply do not like wearing masks, but it's silly how a relatively simple medical apparatus that can potentially save many lives--even when we're not in a pandemic--has come to be seen as an affront to culture. As though thousands dying every year from the flu was something to be celebrated. I'm not saying masks are a cure-all, but they are a big step forward for physical hygiene. On a related note, someone else brought this up as well and I have to agree--I quite enjoy how this pandemic has encouraged people to start washing their hands regularly.
So all in all, the only downside to the end of this pandemic will probably be seeing all these advancements just immediately get discarded. Some--such as distance learning--will probably continue to be developed and worked on, as it was already something that was continuing to be refined even pre-COVID, from what I know. But things like proper distance between shopping carts and proper regulation of foot traffic... it's just not congruent with human nature, unfortunately. And I'm skeptical that we can convince the majority of western nations to adopt masks as a mainstay. And to put it simply, gross people gonna be gross. If lazy people want to skip out on washing their hands, they'll look for any reason to do so, and the very minute COVID becomes even somewhat under control, they'll take it as a sign to stop carrying hand sanitizer in their pockets.
To put it in brief, I'm a boring, cranky adult, and while I do wish it had occurred under better circumstances, the response and safety measures to this pandemic have made it considerably easier for me to be a boring, cranky adult. And that's something I'm not yet prepared to part with.
and then suddenly im a bit nauseous lol. really hope i can somehow do my senior year online. i dont know what ill do with another year of in person!! online certainly hasnt been perfect and neither has been living w the pandemic going on but man, it has been more manageable as far as social anxiety for sure
i really felt like i was improving a lot before so it's pretty sad that i haven't gotten to play. i wanna run!!! but my leg muscles have not been getting much use this past year so i probably can't run that well anymore. i really miss playing sports and being active huhu it's just not the same to be exercising alone in your house.
). I would love to learn te reo Māori too.
