Many of us are now preparing for the evolution of COVID 3.0. The worst has passed, And we are resuming many activities, That is a term coined by me. And explored below.
If you are not already worn out by our collection of COVID posts, then click here.
The Evolution of COVID 3.0
For well over a year, we have dealt with the COVD pandemic. With many devastating effects. Currently, there is a lot of hope going forward into the COVID 3.0 stage. Our take on the three stages of COVID-19:
- COVID 1.0 — The virus starts spreading around the globe. At the beginning, the cause of the spread and the level of contagion unknown. The medical community offers conflicting advice. And the cases keep rising. With millions of cases and numerous deaths. In many areas, remote work becomes the norm. Likewise for quarantining and wearing masks. A huge number of businesses must shut down during the pandemic — some permanently. Generally speaking, a lot of us feel down in the dumps.
- COVID 2,0 — Many rules and regulations stay in place. School openings are prevelant, often with hybrid learning. Travel remains limited, with the cruise industry shut down and limited air travel possible. COVID-19 vaccines get rolled out. Over 100+ million Americans are fully vaccinated. Yet, millions of others will not get vaccinated. More activities open.
- COVID 3.0 — New cases of COVID-19, and related deaths, drop significantly. Thereby, enabling the removal of most restrictions. Travel resumes. Restaurants are on the comeback. “Normal” life comes into play. At the federal, state, and local levels. We can now see our friends and families without social distancing or masks. [With a few caveats.] And see peoples’ faces in person.
Considerations for Us During the Evolution of COVID 3.0
We don’t about you. But, thus far, we find our proper activities amidst COVID 3.0 quite confusing. Why? A few factors: Because the CDC seems to change its guidance on a regular basis. While rules vary by locale. As someone who has been vaccinated, I really don’t understand the distinction between what I can do and unvaccinated people can do.
To further highlight the irrelevance of some rules, we ask the following: Do retailers really expect truthful answers from the unvaccinated if they rely only the honor system? “Have you been vaccinated.” “Of course.”
This means each of must find our own comfort level. For me, this list applies:
- Being outside without a mask — OK.
- Being indoors without a mask with those vaccinated — OK. Wearing a mask if near a person we do not know,
- Dining outside at a restaurant — OK. Not ready to dine indoors yet. Soon, though.
- Traveling by air — OK. We are doing so this summer. However, we bit the bullet and booked first class seats. Not our norm. But, we don’t anyone sitting right next to us.
- Going to the movies — Not yet. Too closed in for us.
- Teaching in person once the new semester starts in September — YES!!!!!!
Maskless Again — Do You Recognize Me?
Finally, to keep our feelings in context, read this article excerpt by Jennifer Levitz in the Wall Street Journal:
Early in the pandemic, it took some adjustment to get used to seeing fellow citizens walking around town looking like train robbers. Then, we grew accustomed to meeting people from the eyes up, or maybe the top of the nose.
Now, Americans are increasingly ditching their masks, creating a new conundrum: unfamiliar naked faces. The stat of the vast unmasking creates more potential for having egg on our faces. “If you’ve gone through six months working with someone and you’ve never seen the bottom part of the face — when you see it, it messes up your ability to recognize them,” says Dr. Alice O’Toole, a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas at Dallas. “It’s definitely a strange experience.”
Aimee Hollander, an assistant professor of teacher education at Nicholls State University in Louisiana, has taught students in-person, with everyone masked, all semester. But outside and off-campus one recent day, Dr. Hollander was at a loss when greeted by name by an unmasked young woman. “You know when you can recognize someone but can’t place them?” Dr. Hollander says. It turned out to be one of her current students.
For more anecdotes about unmasking, click the image.
