Can We Move On After COVID-19? I’m Not So Sure

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As the world begins to emerge from the shadow of the pandemic, I find myself reflecting on what this experience has taught us. Much like the characters in a sitcom who wrap up the episode with a lesson learned, we too must take a moment to assess what we’ve gone through. The pandemic has exposed the true nature of many individuals, and as we inch toward a post-COVID-19 reality, we must ask ourselves: can we genuinely forgive those whose actions revealed their values during this time?

Throughout much of the pandemic, I felt like I was the only one taking our collective health seriously while others flouted the rules. My family and I adhered to guidelines, choosing to stay home and practice social distancing. It’s important to clarify that when I talk about forgiveness in a post-COVID-19 world, I’m not referring to those who made necessary economic decisions or parents trying their best to navigate schooling options for their kids.

Instead, I’m talking about the more troubling actions that truly warrant our forgiveness.

Can We Forgive Those Who Deceived Us?

What do we do about the individuals who chose to lie about their pandemic behavior? We learned who was willing to deceive us when they thought we wouldn’t approve of their choices. For instance, some prioritized their social lives over the health of others, ignoring the potential consequences of their actions. Can we just forget that dishonesty once we reach the other side of this crisis? Many of these individuals appeared trustworthy before, but the pandemic has shaken that perception.

How Do We Deal with Anti-Maskers?

And then there are those who defiantly rejected mask-wearing. This behavior epitomized selfishness, as some denied the efficacy of masks for political reasons while others simply refused to wear them out of convenience. The pandemic revealed their true priorities—politics over public health. How do we reconcile this revelation in a post-pandemic world? Do we choose to overlook the fact that their actions could have endangered lives?

What About the Rule-Breakers?

Think about the people who disregarded safety protocols to enjoy life as usual. While many of us did our best to follow guidelines, some opted for personal comfort over communal safety. How do we address our feelings of resentment toward those who seemingly experienced minimal disruption in their lives? Will we confront them about their choices, brush it off, or simply pretend it never happened?

Estrangements and Their Implications

The pandemic has also led to painful estrangements. Disagreements over how to handle the crisis have caused rifts that, for some, have resulted in complete silence. Can we return to normalcy after such divides? If you’ve cut ties with friends or family over differing views on pandemic safety, it’s unlikely they’ll simply forget that. A pandemic-induced estrangement often indicates deeper relational issues that may not easily mend.

During a conversation with my young son about this topic, he firmly stated, “No, we shouldn’t forgive them. They showed us who they really are.” I find myself aligning with his perspective. Many revealed a willingness to prioritize personal desires over the well-being of others. The willingness to lie, manipulate, or ignore science in favor of comfort is telling.

As I look ahead to a post-COVID-19 world, I realize that my circle may change. Some individuals will not have a place in my life moving forward.

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Summary:

The pandemic has exposed the true nature of people’s values and behaviors, leading to questions of forgiveness in a post-COVID-19 world. From those who lied about their actions to anti-maskers and rule-breakers, many have shown their true colors. Estrangements over differing opinions regarding the pandemic highlight underlying relationship issues that may be difficult to mend. Moving forward, we may choose to reevaluate our relationships based on these revelations.