By Linda Elissalde
Normal (the usual), normalcy (popularized by Warren G. Harding), normality (preferred by teachers of English) are three popular terms. So many folk have wanted to return to one of the three above during 2020 and 2021. Marcel and I chose our favorite normal to be when we were children running all over our neighborhood. I doubt that we can do that. Still, I think of favorite times in my past. The first time falling in love, but without the heartache that followed. Certain special moments during my days of traveling, teaching, and many other events. I would love normal being the Bolivar Peninsula BI – Before Ike.

Thanks to Commissioner Apffel, Seth Collins and all of our friends who helped in getting us Covid 19 vaccinations.

Life rarely returned to what it was before cataclysmic times. Strangely enough some positive changes followed epidemics, pandemics and large-scale public health crises of the past. (I love GOOGLE and have borrowed freely from Advances That Followed Pandemics – HISTORY.) The horrific Black Death of the 14th century led to the end of feudalism, gave more power to workers, and led to the quarantine and distancing of the ill from others. In 1793, a yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia convinced many Founding Fathers that social, economic and political health of a nation was tied with public health. The 1918 flu pandemic, misnamed Spanish Flu, led to concepts of preventive medicine, and health insurance in America and Europe. Parents no longer must suffer with fear of children catching polio during the summer after the advent of Salk Vaccine.

What will be the results of our own Pandemic as we try to return to normal? Is normal the same for everyone? What about people caught between war zones with no place to live but in a tent or car? What about those of different races or cultures that have suffered discrimination? What about areas of poverty and illness? What would these people want for normal?

I do believe that we will have some positive advances even as we still morn the loss of loved ones. Look at the advancements in knowledge of diseases and how they travel. See the tireless experts working on better vaccinations to stop spread of disease. The inequities in our systems have been brought out with attention paid to solving these social issues. Technology has certainly surpassed my poor abilities to communicate. So many young ones are adopting new skills for our future.

May positive results come from what we have learned as we carefully bid farewell to Covid-19. Oh, yes! And let us do continue to frequently wash our hands!

[May-25-2021]