Last March, our world was turned upside down. As the COVID-19 pandemic started, most thought it would be over in just a matter of weeks, but over a year later, we are still here. Millions of people have lost their lives, more have gotten sick, and billions of dollars have been lost. The pandemic changed the daily lives of every individual in America and throughout the world.
At this point, it is weird to see another person without a mask, walking into a restaurant feels uncomfortable and dangerous. A large social gathering like a football game or a concert feels like a distant memory, certainly no longer a reality. However, as vaccinations are beginning to roll out in much larger numbers and the infection rate continues to drop, it seems that America is beginning to prepare for a more normal life towards the latter half of 2021.
In my own life, I have been in a fairly strict lockdown for the past year. I see my grandparents regularly, so my family was quite cautious during the pandemic. I was not able to see many of my friends, and even now I am still only able to do certain activities with them. It has certainly not been easy; I know that others can live a more social lifestyle right now, but I do recognize that it could certainly be much worse for me if I did so. Recently, I, along with the rest of my family, was lucky enough to receive my COVID-19 vaccine.
Since my vaccination, I am beginning to feel much more comfortable with activities that used to be considered normal. Although we are still careful and always wearing masks, it has been nice to see the people who I had grown close to for the past few years, especially at school.
At the very beginning of spring break, I even traveled down to visit Clemson and the University of South Carolina. For the first time in over a year, I stayed at a hotel and ate inside at a restaurant. I felt comfortable doing so, and it served as a great reminder of how enjoyable life was before the pandemic.
As the country continues to reopen, I look forward to returning to the life that we all once called normal. I think that life will certainly feel a little strange when covid regulations are lifted. Many people will likely be nervous about taking their mask off in public or walking into a big gathering, and that is okay and expected.
Personally, I am very excited for the day I can ditch the mask and walk around with the feeling of being free. I am certainly ready for life to return to normalcy, but I do realize that until it does, it is very important to be careful and follow instructions and regulations about preventing the spread of COVID-19.