Summer Is Here Again!
Can you believe we are still talking about COVID-19 more than a year after the pandemic started? This time last year, we were hoping it would end with 2020; but here we are. The Lagos State governor, in an address recently stated “After almost 18 months of daily confronting this virus, it is understandable that many are tired and want their old, pre-pandemic lives to return. Unfortunately, we do not have a choice in this regard, and fatigue is not an option. We cannot afford to be tired, frustrated or distracted. The enemy is formidable – and opportunistic…”
Indeed, many people are tired of it. I am. I have been to a few outings recently; birthday parties, meetings and events one after the other, and was surprised to be one of the few people wearing masks, despite the warnings. The virus has not departed but people have thrown caution to the wind. They are tired of the restrictions. When you go to a party, you have to remove your mask to eat and drink, and possibly to gist, as the mask makes it difficult to be heard. How long will this continue?
What about travelling out of the country? The requirement for PCR tests and quarantine days makes it difficult to visit more than one country. It takes the fun out of it, when you have to spend so much extra money complying with the protocols and regulations. Three years ago, I travelled to the US through the UK, spending a few nights in London before continuing my journey. I did that both legs of the trip. Imagine doing that today, it would probably take me months, having to quarantine for ten days to two weeks at each stop. The things we took for granted!
If there’s anything I’ve learnt from this pandemic, it is that life can truly change overnight. We never saw this coming. And even after it came, we never saw it lasting this long. And until it leaves finally (if it ever does), we can’t say how long we will need to follow the prevention protocols. Even as we speak, people are still dying from the virus. So, how will the summer holidays go this year?
Who is braving the quarantine to travel? Hopefully, all the fun places will be open and safe to visit. If the trip is spent sitting at home reading and watching TV, then it would have been money wasted. I hope it doesn’t get to that. With children home for the long holiday, it is a task to keep them gainfully occupied throughout the period. God help you if you have teenagers who are easily bored.
As the vaccinations continue despite all the doubts about their efficacy, let us hope immunity is at least improved and more people are able to survive an episode and reduce the seriousness of the impact on health generally. We can’t wait to have a world free of COVID-19! It’s been such a challenge, but things are looking up. By God’s grace, the story will be different next year, 2022. We keep hope alive!
I hope you have a meaningful summer vacation.
Enjoy!
