The Ragtap Daily Prompt today is normal.

Are we in a “new normal” era? Some people say yes, others say no. We have been experiencing this stay-at-home edict for over a month now, and our governor just extended it to May 30! And since 95% of the world is under some kind of stay-at-home order, I can’t help thinking, what is the new normal?

In our current reality, it is normal to:

See people walking around, working, talking, even teaching exercise classes wearing masks.

Get lots of ads on our phones for masks in a variety of colors and patterns – masks have become fashionable!

Become an expert at Zoom.

Hear daily statistics on TV with the updated number of cases of COVID-19 and number of deaths.

Listen to entire news shows dedicated entirely to the pandemic and continue watching several of these shows back to back.

Get a lot of coloring pages done.

Accumulate an immense amount of Styrofoam that our meals come in.

Play games on our phone a lot, (and those that I play with respond quickly, because they are doing the same thing!)

Download more game apps onto our phones or computers.

Think about all the projects I could be working on while sitting in a recliner playing games on my phone.

Go for weeks without having to take time to decide what to wear.

Go for walks mainly to see friends and neighbors to stop and chat with, and then stand on the opposite side of the roadway when we do.

Give people a very wide berth when passing them.

Drink wine every day.

Only read newspapers that come to the house three days later, in order not to risk touching the wrapper it comes in.

Throw away any bit of food that falls on the floor even if it’s within the five-second rule.

Ask “where did the time go?” because it’s afternoon and I feel like I just got up.

Find delight in the small things that otherwise might go unnoticed.

It is by no means certain that when this pandemic is over, life will go back to normal (i.e. the way it was before). There are lessons to be learned here, both for ourselves and for our country. I’m not sure what will result from lessons learned (if lessons are learned). But I do think in our future “new normal,” people will find a way to greet people other than shaking hands, we will appreciate much more the warm company of our family and friends, and have new respect for pizza delivery drivers. And for me, I’m looking forward to being able to travel again!