J.R. Johnson

Four years ago today the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic and the world shut down.

Today, I’m taking a moment to remember what it was like in March 2020 and the long months after. To be grateful for the medical community, for front-line workers of all stripes, for vaccines and for all the many ways we’ve adapted and kept going.

Is life back to the way it was? Not exactly. (Minor examples: My hair is still too long, we still have masks kicking around for special occasions like doctor’s visits, and the thought of seeing a movie in a theatre still seems like a lot.) Covid is still a thing, not least for those with lingering symptoms. Even so, we have accomplished something that didn’t seem guaranteed four years ago: We’ve built a new normal.

Could it be better? Of course, and that’s what the future is for. Today, though, I’m happy to look back and see how far we’ve come since that day. And I’m glad we’re making that trip together.

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