After one year of the pandemic, the pandemic has taken a mental toll on most people. As people struggle to return to normal, they aren’t sure what normal is anymore after months of isolation or semi-isolation. Many lived in high-stress fear of catching C-19.
For many, it is much like suffering from PTSD and struggling to re-adapt to society, family and friends.
Many went to text messaging, social media and Zoom to compensate for the lack of contact. But it still left a huge emotional gap. Man is a social creature, and nothing replaces actual contact with other people. But people were forced to give up the many things in their lives that brought contact and meaning to them.
Many people now struggle with awkward conversations when invited to do something and finding it difficult to explain their remaining fear without sounding like they are being overly cautious or that they just don’t want to see them.
Even as restrictions are lifted and the chance to reenter a more active life, the pandemic fatigue still lingers – and even pandemic anger at the time and memories that were lost during the past year.
Students were forced out of their comfort zones and activities that cannot be recovered – ever.
Those missed trips to state competitions were a once in a lifetime for many students and they will graduate never having the opportunity to know what they might have accomplished. Seniors missed the pomp of an actual graduation, prom and banquet. Virtual events can never take the place of actually being there.
Anger, frustration, and dis appointment will remain.
Even as the state opens for students, teachers and other people who lost jobs and businesses – there will always remain an empty space that no mask or vaccine could ever fill.
The best people can do is take one step forward, and another and begin life again.