IT’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Yep, it’s a whole new world. Covid-19 has changed everything.  It has created the need for social distancing (which is a very bad thing).  Humans need human contact. I know I do.  Why has the habit of shaking hands lasted centuries?  Why does a true hug feel so good? It’s easy to answer these questions.  Human touch and affection are a necessary part of a healthy life. Covid-19 denies us that contact.

It also distances us on an emotional level. Covering your face hides the facial signs we unconsciously use in communicating with others.  Joy, sorrow, empathy and hate are all hidden under that damn mask we are forced to wear to protect ourselves and others.  So, what can we do?

I think we should be developing “PODS.”  PODS represent People Of Distinct Safety, a group of people with similar risk mindset and respect for Covid-19 precautions with whom you can socialize, hug, shake hands and whatever.

By agreeing to a set of rules, PODS members can become your new social club.  Whereas, in the past, social clubs formed along the lines of ethnicity, hobbies, religion, etc. my proposed club would be formed around your approach to Covid-19 with the express goal of restoring human touch and closeness to our relationships.

A person who does not believe in any precautions would form a group with like-minded individuals and live as he/she has always lived.  An elder with high risk issues, such as mine, would form a club where the members masked whenever in public or with strangers, incessantly wash their hands and wiped down surfaces with antiseptics.  They would pledge to avoid risk takers and only have physical contact with the members of the group.

Is all this really necessary?  Unfortunately, I think it is and I think it’s going to be even more important in the future.  Covid-19 could have been or could become much worse.  Future pandemics may well involve more lethal characteristics.    Our number one weapon will always be social isolation and, as stated above, social isolation carries its own risk.

Oops, I promised not to be depressing.  So, look at the bright side.  You can socialize and fulfill your need for human touch by associating with those of a similar mindset and a pledge to abide by certain rules.

Here’s your music for the day.  Here’s a joke to make you LOL.

A man was in his front yard mowing grass when his attractive blonde female neighbor came out of the house and went straight to the mailbox. She opened it, then closed it and went back into the house.

A little later she came out of her house again and went to the mail box. She opened and shut it again. Angrily, she went back to the house.

As the man was getting ready to edge the lawn, she came out again, marched to the mail box, opened it and then slammed it harder than ever.

Puzzled by her actions, the man asked her: “Is something wrong?”

To which she replied: “There certainly is! My stupid computer keeps saying: ‘You’ve got mail!'”