Things the World Will Appreciate More Because of the Pandemic

During this completely wacky and totally unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, people keep talking about “when things get back to normal.” Will they ever get back to normal? It’s hard to imagine we’ll simply return to a world where the Whole Foods salad bar I love so much doesn’t feel like 1,001 pairs of tongs and touch areas where somebody may have shed the virus. *shudder* 

I suppose we’ll feel a lot safer once there’s a vaccine, but will our anxiety and fear ever fully go away? COVID-19 has changed our lives forever. It is entirely possible strangers will never shake hands again. Maybe people around the world will adopt the Asian practice of wearing a mask when they’re ill (although it’s hard to imagine given that some people refuse to do so now). This pandemic could change how expensive the most expensive cities are, given that workers may be able to work from home forever as Twitter announced. 

Although we’re still in the midst of heartbreak over missed graduations (we got a photo booth for Tucker’s elementary school graduation dangit!), canceled plans, and not knowing when it’ll be safe to do anything ever, it’s going to be interesting to see how we embrace some of the good that may come from all of this. 

No matter how long we’ll continue wiping incoming household items and food containers with Clorox (please make it stop!) and worry about doorknobs and handles touched by others, there are sure to be things we’ll appreciate more because of the pandemic. 

Things the World Will Appreciate More Because of the Pandemic

Hugging will certainly be at the top of the list. Even awkward side-arm hugs. 

Teachers. Enough said there if you’ve got an e-learning kid at home. The up-side is that Tucker stopped asking me about homeschooling, and I’m pretty sure I’ll only be his teacher if we’re both forced into it. 

Massage. I’m not talking about the lazy shoulder rubs you may get from somebody you live with. I’m talking about professional, scented, all-the-right-spots-feel-better-now massages. I wish I’d have gotten more in the past year and vow to regularly schedule them once they’re safe again. 

Things the World Will Appreciate More Because of the Pandemic According to My Friends and Family

Because I feel like I’m being a bit cliche, I asked my friends and family what they think the world will appreciate more because of the pandemic. 

Tucker said “More animals outside and less pollution.” Is it possible we’ll continue to ride bikes and walk more like we do today because of boredom? 

Robert said “Vacations.” I told you we missed going to Disneyland and Universal over spring break, right? Sigh. Being able to go on vacation again one day will be so nice… Vacation memories heal your tired soul, after all. 

My friend Sara said “Scientists (well…never stopped). Visiting my parents. Journalists. Face licking. 

Julie replied to ask whether Sara said face-licking because she’d refrained when they saw one another and wondered whether Sara suddenly realized that a face lick would be nice. 

Sandi said “Nature and clean air. Learning how to smile with your eyes because you’re worried about wearing a mask.” Argh, the smiling with a mask. I usually just do the universal head-nod while wearing a mask to say “I see you, human. I am human, too.” Or something like that. 

I know the world will be better if we continue to wear uncomfortable masks, maintain social distancing, and do everything we can to keep the most vulnerable among us safe. Perhaps one day, our planet will be better because of what we’ve learned while living through a global pandemic.

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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post, with the prompt of “Things the world will appreciate more because of the pandemic.” When I came up with it, I had visions of deep and unique insights but my eyes are still a little blurry and shell-shocked from canceled spring break and Tucker’s 5th-grade graduation plans. Also, the Clorox wipes may be worse for my brain than wine is. Just a theory. 

What about you?

Are there things you think the world will appreciate more because of the pandemic?