‘New normal’ won’t seem normal to many

The past few months we’ve been reading about the “new normal.” Thanks to COVID-19 we now have predictions of what the new normal is going to be. Bluntly, I’m not sure I’ll be ready, or for that matter, be able at my age to join the “new normal.”

You see, I’ve established my own norm and have stuck with it for decades and frankly I’m not holding a lot of optimism to personally conform to what I’m hearing that is supposed make up my future normal. I’ve taken some “baby steps” preparing for my future.

One message that already has come to the forefront is telling us many of our civic and fraternal club meetings will be held through Zoom and Skype. To me these are not the personal elbow-to-elbow social contacts that I previously enjoyed over a noon meal. Now digital coldness that will be carried out on our social media screen is predicted.

I have conceded my future will not necessitate wearing a business suit, shirt and tie. Upon retirement 20 years ago I gave up the ties. Now my suit stored in a plastic bag hangs at the back of the closet and two white dress shirts next to it are awaiting their future fate. While I ‘m no atheist, his epitaph on his tombstone at the cemetery clarified the new norm atmosphere of business dress: “Here lies ____ _____ All Dressed Up and No Place To Go.”

I don’t plan taking on the new challenges to be faced in formation of the “new norm.” I’m not going to join any protest marches or the tearing down of statues. Instead I’ll just pick up the phone (if phones survive the new norm) and voice my concerns peacefully to those directly involved, or write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper and its online edition.

I’ll try to keep my old laptop functioning. Tech changes over the years have made it difficult for me to understand all the working of my laptop. When it becomes outdated, both laptop and I will “go down” together.

There’s no question change is coming. The virus just hastened those changes. Challenges will be faced and solved. I’ll emphasize I have taken some personal steps for the future. Unfortunately for me those few steps didn’t come as quick as they once did.

Remember, “The future isn’t what it used to be.”

RL Furse is publisher emeritus of the News-Register