We’re two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and I still keep having moments of “Holy shit, we’re in a global pandemic“.
We’ve all been through so many emotions. And there’s more to come. But it still seems surreal at times.
I say that not to deny or dismiss what is happening. It’s just a lot to deal with at times.
Both my daughter and wife now have COVID. They’re doing fine thankfully. We’re all isolating in separate parts of the house. We’re lucky to be able to do that. Lucky that I work from home and can look after them.
But that surreal feeling has been particularly acute this week.
Across the planet, a virus mutated. It infected someone. It’s been passed from person to person across the globe until now it’s inside the house. Inside the people who live here. At some point it will be inside me.
There’s an extra visceral feeling from knowing that the virus is inside these four walls. It feels different to knowing it is out there.
That process of transmission happens all the time. It’s how I’ve caught every cold I’ve ever had. It’s a fact of life. But, like so many other facts of our lives, it’s one that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.
We’re lucky to have vaccines for COVID-19. We’re lucky to have been triple-vaccinated. I knew that we’d catch it at some point. I’m so glad it’s now, after we’ve been vaccinated. Many other people have not been so lucky.
Although it privilege really, rather than luck.
I assume at least some of the denial that I hear that “things will go back to normal” stems from other people also feeling that the current situation is weird, unusual, temporary. That “it will all be over soon”. But that’s not going to happen.
Things have changed now for good. I know that. Doesn’t stop me from occasionally having these “Holy shit” moments though.
Lost Boy 