There are some things we can learn from the past year and a half. Now that we are getting to a point where things are starting to open up once again, I have had more than one person mention they intend to hang on to some of the things we have been told to do over the past eighteen months.
While carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer was not exactly uncommon, it certainly wasn’t used as often as it has been over the past few months. I know a lot of people who say they intend to continue with that routine. Killing germs isn’t a bad idea. Now that we’re in the habit, it seems a lot of people at least have the intention of continuing.
Same with social distancing. While it will be great to get back to seeing other people, there still seem to be quite a few who have no desire to be jammed into a crowd anymore. I’m sure that’s one that will change, depending on the situation. But there seems to be a few who have mentioned that when it does, they plan to bring back the mask. Just for those occasions when you can’t keep away from others.
I know masks have been controversial, to say the least, so it’s a bit of a surprise to hear people say they intend to keep one handy, even beyond when we are told we can finally toss them aside. I know there are many people who hate them and will be only too happy to get rid of them when the time comes. That’s fine. But there are those who may keep them.
A lot of this comes from one simple fact. A fact most people seem to have discovered. Most of us have managed to avoid getting a cold over the past year and a half.
We have always been told there was no cure for the common cold. While there may not be a cure, there does seem to be a way to avoid it. Frequent hand washing and not getting too close to others, or wearing a mask when you do have to get too close. It seems to have worked.
I will admit I am thinking of keeping a mask and a bottle of hand sanitizer handy, even after the Covid coast is clear. The idea of not getting a cold at least once a year is rather appealing. The mask may not be something that gets pulled out too often, but the sanitizer will probably be kept close by.
Although grandchildren could be a bit of an issue. Maybe if I keep a big tank of sanitizer handy, just to dip them in before they come too close…
