For good reason, it seems like our country has collectively
forgot the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Except these folks complaining want it over completely. They
don’t want to hear about it. They don’t want to deal with it. They want lives
to go back to exactly how they were in February 2020.
There are two very specific things these people need to
remember. First, we are never returning to the way life was exactly in February
2020. Second, life hasn’t changed that much.
The complaints through December and January about omicron
were the type of selfish, me-first complaints that have dogged the United
States from the beginning of the pandemic. “My son’s school is closed.” “The
play I was going to attend has been postponed.” “The basketball game I want to
see has been canceled.” “The grocery store is out of the frozen foods I like
it.” Me, me, me, ran through every complaint.
Lost in these complaints was any sort of recognition about
why these events were canceled, or why schools were closed, or why the supply
chain was messed up. People were getting sick with COVID-19. Yes, the omicron
variant proved to be far less deadly for those vaccinated. Yes, the
unvaccinated were the main driver of the surge. No, your personal opinions
about the pandemic doesn’t end it.
Recently, the national news media was shocked and stunned
when the January jobs report came out and - surprise, surprise - businesses
were hiring more than ever and people were confused.
They were confused because they had listened to loudest, most obnoxious voices about COVID-19 instead of opening their eyes. Everything
is open. Nothing is closed. As long as people are healthy, people are living
their lives.
I live in Washington, D.C., one of the bluest areas in the
country. If you watched Fox News, you would think that Washington, D.C. spent
January in lockdown hell due to COVID-19. I went to two pro wrestling shows in
D.C. with roughly 3,000 fans each night. We all wore masks. There were no
COVID-19 outbreaks. I had an amazing time and AEW provided me with the
highlight of the month.
Restaurants are open here at full capacity. So are theaters
and arenas. Stores are open. Hotels are open. There is literally nothing you
could do in February 2020 that you cannot do in February 2022.
What are the complaints then? It feels like these “I want
COVID to be over” people are really complaining about is that other people are
more slowly returning to life. My buddy went to the first of the two wrestling
shows with me, then didn’t feel like doing it again. As he said, “I think once
is enough for now, can’t wait for them to come back.” Did I get mad at him for
being more cautious? Of course not. Why would I? His decision didn’t affect me
at all. I went to the 2nd show by myself and had a good time.
Let’s be as blunt as possible: 2020 was the worst year of my life. I didn’t see my parents for the entire year. No Christmas. No Thanksgiving. I spent only a few days in the office. My wife spent the fall
teaching preschool in-person, and she was run ragged on a daily basis. It
sucked. It really, really sucked.
As I look around in early 2022, life doesn’t really suck. Of
course, the omicron variant was a huge bummer, and I didn’t get to see some
friends over my Christmas break. But with vaccines, I did get to see my family
and my grandfather. I have tickets for several basketball and hockey games in
the next two months. Work trips are back on the calendar, along with in-person
events.
I don’t expect a quick snap back to normalcy, but it
certainly feels like things are trending in the right direction.
Are they perfect? No, of course.
Are they better than they were? Yes, by miles.
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