As we emerge from the pandemic, I find myself reflecting on my pre-COVID social circles, much like a character from a familiar show, contemplating the lessons learned. With vaccines being distributed, a moment of reckoning looms ahead. What insights have we gained? The pandemic has laid bare the values and priorities of those around us. We’ve witnessed how individuals navigated one of the most challenging times in American history. What was truly important to them? How did they respond? And can we genuinely forgive them in a post-COVID-19 world?
Throughout the pandemic, I often felt like the diligent student left to handle a group project alone. My family adhered strictly to guidelines: we stayed home, wore masks, and maintained our distance. We were fortunate enough to do so, and we took those precautions seriously. When I mention forgiveness in a post-COVID-19 context, I’m not referring to the economic hardships that necessitated work. Many people had to continue working in person, and I understand those pressures. I’m also not criticizing parents who made tough decisions to send their kids back to school; I respect the choices made for family survival. My focus is on behaviors that require genuine forgiveness in this new era.
Post-COVID-19: Can We Overlook the Deceivers?
What about those who lied? These individuals made choices knowing they wouldn’t be accepted and chose to deceive instead. Throughout the pandemic, we learned who would be truthful and who would not, especially when lives were at stake. They decided their right to socialize outweighed the health risks posed to others, such as my partner who suffers from asthma. In a post-COVID-19 world, can we just brush aside these lies? They might have seemed trustworthy in trivial matters, but the pandemic revealed cracks in that foundation.
Can We Forgive the Mask Refusers?
And what about those who refused to wear masks? This act epitomized selfishness during the pandemic. Some individuals rejected basic science—likely due to political beliefs—while others willingly accepted the science but chose comfort over safety. They prioritized their own discomfort over public health, essentially choosing to risk others’ lives for their own convenience. How do we reconcile that selfishness as we move forward? This behavior exposed significant truths about their character.
How About the Rule Breakers?
You know who I’m referring to—the ones who disregarded guidelines for personal enjoyment. As I followed the rules, I saw friends casually flouting CDC recommendations, treating the pandemic as a minor inconvenience. They dined indoors, got haircuts, and frequented malls while the rest of us stayed home. How do we process our resentment towards those who seemingly escaped the pandemic unscathed? Do we confront them, ignore our anger, or act as if nothing happened?
Estrangements Brought by Pandemic Disagreements
Perhaps the most painful aspect of this reflection involves estrangements that arose during the pandemic. Family members may have severed ties over differing views on handling COVID-19. A disagreement that once would have been manageable turned into complete silence. When the pandemic subsides, can we mend those rifts? If you distanced yourself from loved ones over their pandemic choices, expecting to return to normalcy without consequences might be unrealistic. This dynamic reveals pre-existing tensions within those relationships.
Recently, I shared these thoughts with my son, who candidly remarked, “We shouldn’t forgive them; they revealed their true selves.” I find myself agreeing with him. The pandemic illuminated how some valued personal convenience over the well-being of the vulnerable. They manipulated truths and preferred false narratives over facts. In challenging times, they were unwilling to make sacrifices for the greater good.
I recognize that I don’t want those individuals in my life moving forward. The post-COVID-19 world is uncertain, but I know the people who failed to demonstrate integrity during the pandemic won’t have a place in mine.
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In summary, as we transition to a post-COVID-19 world, we face challenging questions about forgiveness and relationships. The pandemic has exposed aspects of character and values that will shape our future connections.