You see, I ask the same question each morning to make sure that our new reality of living in a society in quarantine does not become normal. I count on the discomfort of living in this way to remind me of better days, and better days to come. But this morning the answer to “Isn’t this bizarre?” was not as clear cut as that.
We have fallen into a new reality of work/school from home with no traffic, no commuting, and no socializing face to face. Millions are without income: professionals and laymen alike. Hair is going uncut, nails unpolished, bras unworn... now some of this is welcomed for sure! I hate bras - but much of it is borne in a silent seething misery, and because we are all so scared nobody is complaining.
There were reports of gun shots in the parking lot of a North York Canadian Tire last week - WTF? Don’t the gangsters know that social distancing should include a hiatus from murder? Perhaps it was friendly fire bc they missed each other and that’s their baseline “normal”?
But the really weird, bizarre thing is I kinda like some if this... shhhhhh.... I know I shouldn't say it out loud but, quiet roads, friendly neighbours walking in the hood, fresher air- all of these are unexpected benefits of humanity being terrified to leave their homes to pollute. Many are complaining of being stuck at home with their children, but they are also being reminded that raising them is their job. Maybe society allowed them to neglect that job, but no longer. You made ‘em- now raise ‘em.
Finally, though there is a slim chance that this virus will reset the dominant discourse of red vs blue in our media, and in political negotiations at the highest level - I know that - but perhaps, just perhaps, politics will take a back seat to our need to survive. Yes, that's a pipe dream but one can always dream.
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don't forget the benefit to the planet, no pollution for once!
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