You’ve been given a great gift.  The chance to see what life would be like if Covid-19 had never existed. What our world would be like without the invisible bastard. The virus never came into existence; it never travelled the world sickening people, nearing half a million; and never killed nearly (as of this writing) 100,000 worldwide. Families are not contending with sick parents, at risk relatives in other states, and how to deal with funeral arrangements in this new reality.

Instead, friends hug and people shake hands upon meeting.  There’s no eyeing each other with suspicion wondering if someone is going to make us sick. We’re shoulder to shoulder at the new local hotspot enjoying a drink and an intimate conversation, faces close together so we can hear each other over hundreds of other conversations and background music.  We are dancing together, and amongst strangers, and gathering around others and watching musicians and other artists perform. 

Nurses, first responders, doctors and hospital workers go home after a normal shift, hug their kids and families, like the rest of us, order a pizza or make dinner, and forget about “just another day” on the job. They bring nothing home with them, except tired feet and exhausted bodies, ready to relax. It’s tough work, but the chance of catching and bringing home a deadly virus isn’t much of a concern.

Teachers are teachers and parents are parents.  Meaning, school is in full swing and everyone is looking forward to summer vacation! Parents aren’t scrambling to figure how, what, when, where to teach. Boys and girls are looking for prom dates, dresses and shared limo costs. Seniors are looking forward to graduation, excited about what comes next. Teachers aren’t missing their students, but they are looking forward to a successful end to the school year.

Saying the name Joe Exotic doesn’t mean much as people are out enjoying life instead of searching Netflix for new stuff to watch.  (OK, who am I kidding. Tiger King is weirdly awesome.) Not sure why, but it reminds me that wedding season is here and in full bloom.

Nobody thinks of wiping down the groceries with Lysol when they get home and everyone does not have collective OCD.  Toilet paper is in good supply and even, occasionally, still goes on sale. People spend money on things they don’t need. There are no memes about how to wash your hands circulating social media. We touch our faces, stroke our beards, rub our eyes, scratch our foreheads, pick our noses, all without giving it any thought.

In politics, Trump’s impeachment victory lap rallies are in full tour, the happening red ticket out there, at least twice a week. The Dems are still thinking, “Joe?”, and looking forward to five or six more televised debates.

In sports, the Seattle Mariners are celebrating going undefeated into the summer and the Yankees can’t win a game for nothing.  Everyone is excited about the upcoming NFL draft, compiling stats and plotting the season.  Lakers have lost to the Bucks in the finals, and Gonzaga is the new National Champion. Chants of “USA! USA! USA!”, can be heard in the streets with the anticipation of the Summer Olympics.

Movies at the theatre are a cool date night while Black Widow becomes summer’s main blockbuster & Top Gun fails miserably, except in the 48-55 year old, white male demographic.  Trolls 2 makes a bundle, as does the new Ghostbusters.  And, Comic-Con season is in full swing, cos-players in their outlandish costumes and people lining up to get autographs from their favorite celebs, actors and artists.

Small businesses are doing great with restaurants bustling and small shops busy.  People are out and about filling sidewalk cafes on sunny days and coffee shops on rainy ones. Our 401K’s are doing pretty good and rent prices are still climbing.  There’s a, sort-of, low underlying skepticism about the economy, but it’s busy out there and that feels safe.

Traffic sucks.  So does long work hours and figuring out how to get Sally to soccer and Billy to music lessons at the same time, juggling the family schedule.  That annoying guy in the cubicle next to yours is there, eating a smelly lunch at his desk or talking loudly into his phone.  There’s a feeling of familiarity in everything and a lack of sense of doom around every corner. People are still working hard and paying the bills, hoping for a raise and trying to make it to May, to June, to summer, and to well earned vacations.

But, in a sinking reality, the virus is here. 

The sun shines different with this pandemic hanging, literally, in the air.  It burns a little different. There’s this thin film of fear stretched over the world.  The breeze still blows, the birds still chirp.  Dogs bark, cats purr and cuddle.  Kids still laugh, even through their boredom.  We’re sometimes glued to the news wondering just how bad this thing will get. Other times, we can’t watch another second. We are all a little stir crazy, but most of us are safe, well and okay. Some people are deep in the thick of it, wondering what comes next for them.

Stay safe. Stay well. Stay sane…and play more games.