I’m so sick and tired of the “new normal.” That’s a term that has been batted around for nearly a whole year now.
by Brent Maze
The one thing that is definitely true about the new reality is that cleanliness is actually something that is a part of daily life in our culture. Gone are the days where you might have to worry about going into a sketchy establishment and worrying about catching germs on the toilet seat or door handles.
If there’s one good thing that will come out of this is that we will be more cognizant of making sure we keep our areas clean and sanitized. Otherwise, no one will want to come in and see you.
That being said, I do miss the days of being able to go to packed-out sporting events, festivals and other fun-filled events that we experienced pre-March 2020.
However, I am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
The Newton Chamber of Commerce has announced its plans to hold the Loose Caboose Festival in downtown Newton.
That is the beginning of that normal. It was the cancellation of that festival that started us on this weird year of begin “together at home.”
That being said, it’s our job to make it happen. We have to continue to wear masks. As Dr. Anthony Fauci said last week, everyone wearing masks could save up to 50,000 lives over the next few months. It will save more than vaccination in the immediate future.
That doesn’t mean that we don’t need to get vaccinated. The long-term goal is to have as close 100 percent vaccination as possible. But if we want to see Loose Caboose happen, we have to mask up.
If you want to see spring sports happen or high school prom happen, then we have to do our part. If you want to be able to worship together in our churches without the risk of being infected by COVID-19, we have to wear our masks a little bit longer.
Brent can be reached at brent@newtoncountyappeal.com.
