When the dust settles, what will be the new normal? I'm curious what everyone thinks. Will we still be wearing masks and crossing the street when we encounter someone from the other direction? What will daycares and schools and offices look like? Will middle seats be a thing on airplanes, and who will take public transportation? Will we give our friends hugs? What will dating be like? Will people dance at weddings? Can we host board game nights and dinner parties? Can we visit family members in the hospital? How many people can attend a birth or a funeral?

I have a million questions, and I'm not sure I like the answers. Coronavirus probably affects every single aspect of our lives. And it seems in most settings, it separates us. Social distancing may be manageable for several weeks, but now a couple months in, it's really trying. I sincerely hope it does not become the new norm. We are social creatures, and even among introverts like me, we draw some amount of energy, creativity, motivation, and desire from others. I'd as soon drop handshakes, but I do think the occasional pat on the back or hug makes a material difference. Masks protect us and those around us, but we draw so many social cues from facial expressions. How much our society has changed. As we adjust to working from home, videoconference fatigue settles in. How focused can we be in a home office? Can we achieve the same amount of collaboration and innovation outside a shared space?

I believe some things will improve as a result of this pandemic. We will fortify supply lines to avoid the global disruption we saw here. We will realize that we can indeed lower carbon emissions and see tangible results within weeks. We will prepare and stockpile better for disasters. We will use technology in new and effective ways.

But how long will it be before we go to a museum, an aquarium, an amusement park? When will we next attend a play, a musical, a concert, a sports game? What will restaurants look like? How will getting a haircut or a massage change? There's no doubt that every industry, field, and facet of life must adapt to a new world. I hope it's a world where we can connect, build, and thrive.