Our shifting normal

"Welcome to mid-way through 2021. It is better than 2020, but still strange. Will 2022 be better? We can only hope. But then again, in 2020 we thought 2021 would be better. Oh well..." 

Whereas last year was the year which wasn't, this year can be called the year which almost got us back to normal. Almost. Last year, I almost got conned into thinking some things were part of our "new normal". This year, I could almost be talked into a "near normal" on many things. That is, except for one thing. "Normal", keep shifting. What was "normal" yesterday, might not be "normal" today, and certainly might not be "normal" tomorrow.

Okay Bird - explain yourself. Alright. Here is an example that my wife and I are currently experiencing. Before the plague hit, we liked to cruise. It was great fun, and relaxing. Then the plague hit the WestPac. The Diamond Princess, based out of Tokyo (ironically, the same ship we were suppose to be on for an overseas cruise), became ground zero for Covid - 19. Because so little was known about this disease, The Diamond Princess of Princess Cruises, became a death ship. And just like that, the entire cruise industry went into hibernation.

Earlier this year, when it appeared that the cruise lines would be back sailing once again, the CEO of Carnival Lines (owner of Princess Cruises), said the following: "When we start up again, the only people let on board, guests or crew, will have to be full vaccinated. That way, when we are at sea, nobody need wear a mask. It is like, we will be in our own bubble." BINGO! That means at least cruises will get closer to normal. But hold the phone.

Early in the month, a Carnival ship had a "whoops". Two dozen passengers tested positive. However - since everyone was vaccinated, folks who tested positive either were only slightly ill, or asymptomatic. No matter - since Carnival Lines is the parent company of the Diamond Princess, the panic button was hit. Now the shifting normal is this, according to an email we just received:

Until October 31th, every passenger not only needs proof of vaccination, but also a negative Covid test, no older than 3 days before setting sail. In addition, masks will be required in the terminals and on board in communal locations. You may remove your mask in the dining areas, when eating (gee, thanks).  

Will this change again before our cruise early next year? Count on it. But this is only one small example of our shifting normal. Look at NYC and SFO. They are both going to require vaccine passports to go out of eat, to the gym, to a movie. Will that spread to other big cities with blue mayors? Count on it. 

Here is the irony. Some high level doc from a major medical institute was on the news earlier in the week. He was not too concerned about the Delta variant. Why not? He thought 85% of our population had already developed herd immunity. Some through vaccinations, some because they already had Covid, some from natural immunity. People who have none of the three, are the ones who are getting sick, and being put into hospitals. He also said there is no use hiding from Covid - it is everywhere. If you are not part of the herd immunity, you will eventually catch it. And as we all know, cloth masks do nothing to protect us.

Welcome to mid-way through 2021. It is better than 2020, but still strange. Will 2022 be better? We can only hope. But then again, in 2020 we thought 2021 would be better. Oh well...