As you may remember, COVID-19 started in 2019, hence the “19” in its name. However, 2020 was the year when all the COVID stuff blew up for most of us.
2020 was when the restrictions began. Businesses like restaurants were temporarily closed, people began to work from home, hand sanitizer and face masks became ubiquitous.
Then in the spring of 2020 schools switched to “emergency remote learning” – teachers were attempting to teach a variety of blank screens. Students logged onto devices and yet totally checked out. Not a fun time for students or teachers.
At that point I went down to the river near my house and picked up what I call my stress rock. Whenever I feel stress, I go out to the yard and rub this rock. It is sort of like meditating. I find it quite relaxing.
In the fall of 2020 we were assured it was safe, and the vast majority of students and teachers returned to in person learning. a glimmer of hope was sparked. A partial return to “normal”.
Fast forward to the new year and that spark of hope for a return to “normal” grew stronger. It was a new year! Good bye 2020 and hello 2021.
Then we got into 2021 and it quickly became evident that 2021 was less of a new year than another punch to the throat.
We realized that 2021 was actually the COVID way of saying 2020-won.
There was no return to “normal”. We lost and 2020 had won.
Now here we are at the close of 2021 and the Omicron variant is raging across Canada and the rest of the world. No return to pre-COVID times is imminent.
We are about to enter 2022. Which you can read as “2020 too”. This too will be another year of physical distancing, face masks, sanitizer, and “reduced capacity” at events that are allowed to be held in person.
This coming year will be another year of COVID protocols. So hang on. We’ve got awhile to go yet before we’re through this mess.
Oh and before I leave – here is a more recent picture of the stress rock I have in my front yard.