The new normal

by Jon Sullivan - 2020-05-13 - Stories

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It looks like one way or the other we're going to start easing the lockdowns. But in the city, what does that mean?

One of the reasons I live where I do is because there are a huge number of things to do in the city. Festivals, great ethnic food, wonderful parks and museums, miles of beaches, and on and on. But now that we're going to have to learn to live with Covid for at least another year until a vaccine is tested and available, how do I navigate all the stuff I want to do? Both physically and philosophically?

I think if I lived in Montana or some other rural area this would all be different. Different as in, in MT you can be near a lot of strangers and be pretty sure none of them have Covid. In CA in the same situation you'd know there is a very good chance someone is infected.

The first decision is mask or no mask? I'll be wearing a mask. It's always bugged me how casually people in the US cough all over everything. No one seems to care if a coworker coughs in their hand and then smears it on a doorknob. No one seems to mind the person checking out their groceries sniffling and sneezing as they grab all their stuff. As if coming to work sick is admirable. As if getting sick and making others sick is a virtue. Or, as we are seeing lately, it's your Constitutional right as an American. I think that's pure bullshit.

I think being kind, and polite, and ethical involves also making an effort to not make others ill. Wearing a mask in 2020 doesn't make you look stupid. And it's easy once you take the time to just do it. It's a thing we should do in a civilized society. It's part of being kind to others.

As to the other city stuff...... The restaurants, the festivals, the bars..... I really don't know. While I don't drink much anymore, I really really miss walking over to my beloved Tiger! Tiger! for a craft beer and a gourmet burger. Some street tacos from a truck sound heavenly right now. I can hear Balboa Park calling me. And San Diego is a tourist town, so all of that would include people flying in from places with perhaps dubious virus protocols. What to do.....

I went out for walkies this morning. First time since Covid became a thing to worry about. It was at 4am, so no one about. I wore a mask anyway, which was fine. It's a first step. No idea where it goes from here.

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