How are you dealing with this New Normal ?

Living with the uncertainty of COVID-19’s spread requires a different way of thinking (and living). Many aspects of our lives will never be the same again – some temporarily and others permanently.

The virus which originated in Wuhan, China has upended economies around the world. Citizens under an authoritarian regime like in China, where the government can lock down entire cities or provinces (states), is different from living in the United States where the federal, state, county, town and individual have different authority – and do very different things at different times. Living during these Covid times requires a different mindset than you had pre-Covid.

The world is a large system. Variations in one country or across countries affect people living across the world. You can’t just do one thing of your own volition and expect that nothing else will be affected. This whole pandemic apparently started from an animal market in Wuhan, China which is thousands of miles away from where you live. For months, most of us ignored it like we also ignored Ebola and the bird flu – because it was happening in a faraway place and affecting other people. Many of us have a similar attitude about what happens in other parts of the United States. For example, take the reopening of Oklahoma. You may live in New York City and think that the reopening of Oklahoma does not matter to you. It may not, for the first few days. Once people from Oklahoma start flying into New York City, some will bring the Covid-19 virus into New York. Since the person from Oklahoma has been living in a re-opened state, he may behave similarly in New York City, resulting in the spread of the virus. Now, suddenly, the opening of Oklahoma affects the way you live in New York City. Also, at this time, we do not fully understand how this virus propagates (beyond a few ways), mutates (we only know of the Chinese version and Italian versions), and the many ways it affects different age groups (we used to think it only affected old people). This virus is an equal opportunity infector and killer, infecting the rich and poor, black, brown and white, leaders and slum-dwellers,…you get the idea. It infects even babies.

With schools and colleges reopening soon, millions of students will be congregating again soon – some locally and others from across the country. Schools are mills for the spread of infections (remember the time your children brought back the cold or flu?). People will soon start traveling for business and recreation as well. This is just the American scenario. Much of America also depends upon international tourists. People from over 200 countries visit the United States every year. Now, imagine what would happen if people from 200 different countries with varying levels of precautions against the coronavirus (and mindsets about how to live their daily lives) could affect major tourist destinations like New York City, California and Florida. All it takes is a few small events spreading and you have a hotspot in any or many of those destinations. The spread of the virus could suddenly flare up and spread like wildfire. Just look at what is happening to Florida which could become a super spreader site. Some people plan for these uncertainties. But, how do you plan when so much is unknown? The best possible plan today is merely a strawman that will require continuous recalibration and change. For an individual, that could drive you nuts. You don’t control how the world around you operates. There is a better way. Each one of us can develop a mindset that keeps us and our families safe, while also avoiding the further spread of this invisible and deadly virus.

“No individual can possibly anticipate every one of these scenarios, but each one of us can develop a mindset that keeps us and our families safe, while also avoiding the further spread of this invisible and deadly virus.”

A person’s mindset is a set of beliefs, rules, assumptions that he or she lives by. It also reflects the person’s values. It is the filter that each of us uses that makes sense of the world around us and helps us make decisions. That is why two people looking at the same incident have two different perspectives and, perhaps, how to act. How could you change your mindset to help you better deal with this ‘new normal’?

A person’s values are simply our preferences for one thing relative to another. For example, during these Covid times, you may value personal safety over the need for recreation. This does not mean that you will never involve yourself in recreational activities, but rather that when given a choice between personal safety and recreation, you will choose personal safety.

Beliefs are what a person holds to be true, sometimes in the absence of compelling and supporting data. For example, you may have previously believed that traveling by public transportation is safe for your health. Now, during these Corona times, you may believe that driving in your own car is safer than any mode of public transportation.

Rules are what individuals use in order to simplify decision-making. For example, you may have had a rule that you do groceries on Saturdays, go to church on Sundays, and pick up laundry on Mondays. During these Corona times you may develop a new rule that you should to all three of these activities on the same day.

Lastly, all of us make assumptions about others and the world around us. For example, you may have previously assumed that the pastor or priest at your church or temple is a safe person to talk to while standing in close proximity. But, during these Covid times, you may jettison that assumption and maintain social distancing from the pastor or priest.

“How could you change your mindset to help you better deal with this ‘new normal’?”

So, think about your life and that of others around you.

1. What assumptions should you make and live by during this ‘new normal ‘?
2. What beliefs do we need to embrace to live in this ‘new normal’?
3. What should you value more or less in this ‘new normal’?
4. What new rules should you be living by during this ‘new normal’?

Please write down your thoughts in the comment section and share this with as many people as you can. I will collect all of these and publish an article that could serve as a guide to living in the ‘new normal’.

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