The New Normal Vocabulary

The New Normal Vocabulary

The coverage of the coronavirus has added new words and phrases to our language and changed the meaning of others. Some of the new jargon is necessary for understanding what is going on. Some, however, seems to be for no other purpose than to make the speaker appear knowledgeable without actually having knowledge. I find some of the new words entering my daily speech, others I intentionally avoid.

Washington State is my home. I choose to live here because I like it. I do not, however, consider myself a “Washingtonian”. This description of citizens of our state reminds me of President Nixon trying to sound sincere while lying through his teeth as he repeatedly began many televised denials with, “My fellow Americans…” It was a simple political ploy that didn’t work. Governor Inslee is posturing himself to run for President in 2024 and is going to use his record on COVID19 to boost his credibility. Governor Cuomo of New York has similar goals, but he doesn’t have a catchy moniker for the people of his state. Can you imagine, “New Yorkians” or “New Yorkers”? He needs to come up with something nifty if he is to best our candidate.

The news is full of, “We are all in this together.” No, we are not. I don’t have the virus, nor do any of my family. Most of us are not small business owners. I am not unemployed. Actually, I am, but I was unemployed by choice long before the virus. Those of us who are retired or work for the government don’t feel the economic squeeze nearly as much as those who work in the private sector. Landlords can’t demand tenets pay rent. The entertainment industry is shut down. Working at home doesn’t provide a paycheck for independent contractors. We are not all in the same boat. All of us feel the impact, but some feel it much more than others.

What does “Social Distancing” mean? Initially it was three feet then was quickly changed to six. For some however it is much more. I was working in my garage the other day when my neighbor walked by the open door. I said, “Hi”, and took a step toward him; he took a step back. I took another step and he took another step back. I soon realized his “social distance” was about fifteen feet. For others, it is not so much an actual distance as it is an absolute avoidance of anyone entering a self-defined safety zone. I watched a little old man outfitted with gloves, hat and mask as he tried to get a case of bottled water from the top layer of a high stack. I asked if I could help, and it seemed to frighten him. He preferred to chance dropping the case of water on his head rather than allow me within his safety bubble for a few seconds. Later in the day, I followed the red marks on the floor of the liquor store to remain at least six feet behind the lady in front of me. She had both arms full of cabin fever remedy and was juggling bottles. Back in normal times, I would have helped her rather than have her drop a bottle of honey laced liqueur on the floor. I did that once and it was a real mess to clean up, but it wasn’t my floor, so I hesitated. It was the salesclerk’s floor to clean, and she quickly came out from behind her plexiglass shield to lend a hand. Was my hesitancy a preview to the “new normal”?

I would much prefer a return to the old normal, but I don’t think that is to be. I read one scientist suggesting masks be required everywhere all the time, now and forever. I listened as the Governor of Michigan chastised protestors, and told them she knew what was best for them. Governor Inslee said those who asked for their lives back were being “mean spirited”. I don’t know what the “New Normal” is going to be, but if we leave the decisions to politicians and scientists, we won’t like the result.

d Air Force Colonel and long-time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a free-lance columnist for over 20 years.