When will we go back to "the old normal"?

Am I the only one who hasn't heard any mention of this? I have cut WAY back on watching the news but when I do catch bits and pieces I never hear this mentioned. We were supposed to flatten the curve, make sure there were enough ICU beds and vents, we did that. Now what? No one's allowed to get sick ever again?

Once we have the vaccine are we good? People who want to take it will take it, the rest of us will say we're ok with risking covid and we go back to normal?

I just need a light at the end of the tunnel. We were supposed to travel out of the country in December and I know they're saying the vaccine should be out by November so does this mean we can move forward with the trip? Will they still require you to quarantine for 14 days, which no one seems to be doing anyway from what I'm seeing?

I have heard people say they think they'll never go back to normal. I find this terrifying and impossible to believe. Do people really think we'll go around in masks never touching anyone, staying at least 6 feet apart, etc forever?

Message edited 9/5/2020 12:01:51 PM.

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

The vaccine will not be available in November. Hopefully, it will be available next year. Even with fast track, and my family member is in charge of this program at the NIH, it will be next year. I expect some normalcy by next May/June. Right now Americans are not really being accepted in other countries, so I would consider postponing your trip.https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-says-without-evidence-vaccine-could-be-ready-election-day-n1236029 if you are listening to Trump say it is going to be by Election Day he is lying.

Message edited 9/5/2020 12:22:27 PM.

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

We may push off our yearly trip in Fe. Which would be traveling out of the country, and I will NOT get the vaccine.

When will we go back to

Kids activities have started, lots of places have reopened, people are traveling more, schools are about to reopen. It's not as if we're in a stagnant place, we are inching back toward normal. I think opening schools will be a big test and I'm anxious to see whether we can keep things under control and remain open. I'm not that optimistic especially at the high school and college level. Also, no way a vaccine will be out in November.

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Message edited 9/5/2020 12:32:15 PM.

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

When will we go back to

I think the initial point of this all was to flatten the curve but I think that idea of social distancing/ closure/ masking wearing evolved somewhere unwritten over time into preventing the spread of COVID with the goal of keeping the infection rate below 5%. I have to say that I think after working in the hospital cutting it close on ICU beds and resources is scary and the initial goal of flattening the curve was achieved. I think going forward there needs to be a better plan to open things up with a plan for closure in the event infections do spike because the hospitals can’t handle what they were at. It’s too much, mentally, physically, staffing, PPE, financially and planning wise.
I think the 5% infection rate is a reasonable threshold for closure because I don’t think we will ever be at zero. Vaccine development and research needs to continue especially for a treatment standard. I think if schools can open with a plan for everyone to eventually go back full time I’d be ok with long term mask wearing if we were able to keep infection rates at 5%. In countries where mask wearing was already the norm they have very low rates overall and I don’t see the big deal in mask wearing being the norm. I think school will be the tipping point of normalization.
Once there is a vaccine I will absolutely get it and hopefully vaccination will further lead to normalization such as diminishing the use of masks but I don’t see that happening for a long period of time.

I think COVID has also provoked a stronger divide (especially politically) in this country not to mention people have attacked others for asking them to wear a mask in public etc. I don’t know what normal will be like in the future because we are such a divided nation in so many capacities I think it’s going to take a long time to reach a standard of normalization but who knows if things will ever be normal again

Message edited 9/5/2020 12:50:01 PM.

When will we go back to

I don’t think we will ever go back to the old normal. Nor do I want to.

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

When will we go back to

I think masks will be a thing for at least another year, if not longer. As far as the normal we knew before March, people packing into concerts, 30 kid classrooms in schools, cramped NYC office space, shaking hands, etc. I don't believe any of those things will ever happen again.

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

Even if there is a vaccine in November, there is no way there will be enough production and distribution to get it out to regular people by December. So def don’t make travel plans based on a vaccine.

I don’t think there will be an old normal until there’s a reliable (not rushed, untested) vaccine and/or treatment that makes people less afraid.

Expect the market to take a long time to come back. First of all it was on a run for so long, there is always a recession/reset. Second due to covid it will take longer than normal.

Small businesses will take years to recover from this or close permanently. I think once the market starts doing a bit better, less unemployment some people who say have closed restaurants may try again but it will be awhile.

Be patient. See the big picture (masks aren’t that bad) and try to focus on some good from this - more time at home with kids. That’s what I’m trying to do.

When will we go back to

I don't think things will ever go back to how they used to be. I'm not saying that people won't be allowed together or parties and mask will have to be continuously worn. I just think the way we do everyday things and the way we work will change.

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

There is so much to respond to here.

It sounds like you will not take the vaccine. That will add to the time it will take to get back to "the old normal". Being anti-vaccination, yes it was always around, but didn't get really big until the late 1990's/early 2000's. And now with this big political divide, even people who are pro-vaccination don't want to take the vaccinations. Which means even if a vaccination exists, it won't matter. It only works if most people take it. And even the normal flu vaccine has a 50% effectiveness rate.

At this point it will take YEARS for us to get back to the old normal, if we even do. I think the new normal is just that. The new normal. Yes, eventually school will get better - travel will get easier.... but I think the majority of airline travelers will now be in masks still (even 5 years from now). Schools will definitely probably have to install better air filter systems in their schools and put money into their facilities and make use of online learning when there are in person issues. I think a lot more people will be working from home, and not commuting into NYC for sure. Even 5 years from now. Hopefully Broadway will be able to reopen and concert halls. But I think movie theaters, bowling alleys, malls will decrease as people are just streaming new movies straight into their homes and ordering everything online. I think lots of people will prefer ordering in food than eating out in a crowded space for a year or two.

And there will be a residual hesitance to greet people in their normal way (whether it was with a handshake or a hug or cheek kisses or whatever). I think people will be more verbal greeting oriented.

So, I'm sorry, I don't think it's a matter of when we will go back to the old normal and more of when will we each feel comfortable with the new normal.

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

I am kind of surprised that so many people think that it will never go back to normal - that this is it - that life as we knew it is just over and done with forever - all because of one virus. It is potentially for some people a deadly virus, yes, but over time even without a vaccine we will develop immunity and honestly do we all really think that for the rest of our lives, we will have to treat all people as toxic killers, never see anyone smile, never celebrate anything again, never have our kids educated, never leave our hometown, and stifle our breathing every time we leave our home? Then what's the point of living? Just to exist? Just to "be alive" with no joy whatsoever? No, I don't buy it. I definitely think we will go back to the "old normal" or the "real normal" and not this weird alternative temporary universe we are creating.

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Message edited 9/5/2020 2:28:35 PM.

When will we go back to

I think the precautions such as masks and large groups will be here for a while.

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Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

..

Message edited 9/28/2020 5:42:15 AM.

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

This thread is so depressing. I can’t believe how many people don’t think we will ever go back to normal.

I refuse to be all gloom and doom and think it will never be back to normal.

While I don’t think it will happen this calendar year I fully expect it to be somewhat back to normal by 2021.

Other states are no way even close to as strict as we are and I don’t think all of a sudden they will be either. If anything I see everything starting to relax slowly!

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

The reality of the situation is that it's only been 6 months so the real devastation of what is going on is only now becoming apparent. Businesses, except for very large ones, are being destroyed forever and this will continue to happen. I know nobody cares about the economy and I know the main goal is for nobody anywhere to ever get sick again. However, the economy is more than the "stock market." If this continues then it will result in a completely different kind of economy and lifestyle and not in a good way.

When will we go back to

felt pretty normal to me at the beach today. Everyone needs to have a positive outlook. Im tired of doom and gloom. I feel like this time next year it will be normal again

Re: When will we go back to "the old normal"?

Message edited 9/5/2020 5:30:41 PM.