John D. Manos
“How Corona Changed Our Lives Forever”
It was the first Monday of ‘quarantine’ at around 12:00 noon, as I picked my ball out of the 18th hole at Secession Golf Club. I went in for the classic post-round handshake, but was instead met with a glare, as I turned red-faced.
“Elbow tap,” said Bobby, my playing partner.
“Almost forgot,” I said as we tapped and walked back to our cars. Six feet apart. No exceptions. Welcome to the new norm. Corona’s norm.
The new rules and recommendations set in place by the government required the closing of all ‘non-essential’ businesses, to keep a physical distance of at least six feet, not shaking hands, and to wear something over one’s face. These parameters fell under the callsign of “social distancing”.
“Social distancing works,” said Dr. Peter Manos, a pulmonologist and expert in the matter (who happens to be my father). “It helps to reduce the spread of the virus form host to host.”
A study from the Jackson Library found that it is safest to avoid all handshakes, hugs, and social kisses while keeping a constant distance of at least six feet. Under the guidelines of social distancing, a Harvard study via Bloomberg claimed that these practices may need to remain in place through 2022, given their effectiveness.
Effective, yes. And lasting? Most-likely. Once the regulations/recommendations are lifted, it is plausible to think that a stigma will remain around all of the actions that require close contact; some may even become taboo.
“In some ways, the fears will probably endure beyond the threat of infection due to the memory of all that is lost,” said Reverend Samuel Gaillard of St. Helena’s church.
One common practice that may be affected by this fear is the all-too-common handshake. The handshake is a symbol of agreement, diplomacy, commitment, and trust.
“Handshakes in a usual and healthy environment are a good thing and a meaningful way for people to connect with each other,” said Dr. Brad Collins, a Pathologist.
However, this environment that we’re in is not what most people would consider usual and healthy. It is reasonable to assume that most people will think twice before doing a handshake ever again.
“There may be some new behaviors that become more common; perhaps we will take up the bow, like the Japanese, rather than the handshake,” said Dr. Patrick Flume, a pulmonary/critical care specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). “Because we were so ill-prepared, we had to commit to the social distancing model to prevent really serious morbidity and mortality”.
However, once this pandemic subsides, some behaviors must still be curbed. ‘Touch’ being the most important of those behaviors. While smart in theory, curbing this behavior may have unhealthy mental implications.
“God made us as people of senses and the power of touch is medically documented,” said Gaillard. “My sense is that humans will not continue to live this way.”
If humans refuse to live this way, will the virus then be a continuous, reoccurring collateral of society’s persistent practices?
“The COVID-19 flu virus is likely to be with us for a while until a highly effective vaccine is developed,” said Dr. Collins.
Even so, it is no secret how to most effectively cripple this pestilence. Cease from all touching, contact, close quarters, and social gatherings for as long as possible.
We are seeing behaviors being changed every day. Just like the process of getting on a plane has been altered drastically since 9/11, the day-to-day behaviors of normal people will likely see a similar shift after this virus subsides.
Whether it starts in places like my father’s operating rooms, or back where I began out on the golf course––it is hard to imagine that our practices will ever return to normal. Before this virus showed up, I never knew what an N-95 mask was. Now, boxes of them litter my father’s office as that piece of foam and those two elastic bands are a newly recognized piece of treasure.
Before this virus showed up, the only guarantee on the golf course, was a firm handshake, immediately following the round.
In the future, a handshake may imply possible infection, and giving a hug… well that may just turn into a downright sin. The stock of social interaction and emotional connection will likely plummet as the stock of N-95s and rubber gloves soar. This world is changing every year. The novel coronavirus however, has been an explosive catalyst to that change.
Once COVID-19 ‘cools down’, it is not the post-traumatic stress of a past virus that may still plague our society. It is the fear that it has caused. It is the fear that one wrong move may cause another contagion to arise. This would be the real cause of our society remaining in fear. As Dr. Collins said it,
“Maybe more importantly another mutation in nature could arise… and a whole new threat of pandemic could occur.”
With this new and constant worry, Corona may have effectively changed our lives forever. In fact, it may have even altered the definition of life, from living to surviving.
Reporting Index
- Peter Manos, Pulmonary Medicine
- Patrick Flume, Pulmonary and Critical Care; MUSC
- Brad Collins, Pathology
- Reverend Samuel (Shea) Gaillard, St. Helena’s Anglican Parish; Beaufort, SC
- https://www.jax.org/news-and-insights/2020/march/social-distance-ed-liu-part-2
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-14/harvard-researchers-say-some-distancing-may-be-needed-into-2022