Is the Pandemic Still Real?
By ALBERT ZHU ‘26
For over two years, the world lived in fear of one word: positive. If you were positive, you had to isolate yourself. If you were positive, you couldn’t see anyone except through a call. Additionally, even if you were completely asymptomatic, as soon as the test result came back positive, there would always be that lingering fear: maybe this disease would take you away from this world prematurely. As of Oct. 2023, this disease has taken almost seven million lives globally (ncov2019.live). Even though the virus itself does not cause as much fear, the cultural effects are prevalent still today.
What is the first thing that you think of when someone is coughing and sneezing? Before the pandemic, It was probably just that this person had been irritated. Maybe if someone sneezes three to four times at once, then you start to get a little worried. But it was just part of life! It happens! Now, after the pandemic when every single flu-like symptom is scrutinized, excessive sneezing gets you a COVID test. It’s probably nothing. But that fear still remains.
Another thing that changed during the pandemic was our education. During that two-year stretch, remote learning became the new norm, and digital aspects of education were fast-tracked into our schools, serving as a tool for teachers to more easily connect with their students. The effect of that is still clearly highlighted in the increased use of digital websites for assignments and even to take tests. The fact that schools are still fine-tuning their strategies for a post-pandemic world underscores the ongoing relevance of the pandemic’s impact on education.
Transitioning into any sort of normalcy after the pandemic proved to be a long endeavor. Masking became the norm, and for the longest time, that was what was expected. If you didn’t wear a mask, you were shunned, blasted for failure to protect others. There were even entire groups of people dedicated to attempting to prove that masking was unnecessary, because of the inconvenience. The government needed to step in, enforcing mask mandates in some locations, and even PEA joining the fun with their own mask mandate. After the removal of mask mandates, the sight of one became something that would elicit a sense of uneasiness. As said previously, a simple cough can attract skeptical viewership and a feeling of anxiety as you wonder whether or not you have been infected. Some people tended to be more cautious, keeping masks on even after the requirement had subsided. Even now, people still rush to put on masks after any prolonged sneezing fit.
The pandemic is still very much a reality, even as we have returned to a semblance of normalcy. However, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s not all negative. While the pandemic exposed our vulnerabilities, it also showcased our resilience and adaptability. The lessons learned from this crisis will shape a more prepared future. People have started to become more cautious and aware of previously considered “mild” illnesses, such as the flu or the common cold. Cleanliness became and still is a top priority. The pandemic has had many effects still seen today, and a lot of them may be for the better.
