New Normal or the Next Normal
Believe it or not, normal might be flexible and everchanging
After the Wuhan Flu “crisis”, new policies and beliefs came into play. What was “normal” one day was not normal the next.
Before the NYC Subway Strike in 1980, women on the street would not be caught without wearing their dress heels. During the strike, because of the distances they were having to walk, sneakers became the street shoe of choice (and comfort). Heels were carried in their handbags and changed in the office. After the strike, that became the new norm. It also spread to other major cities without the need for a transit strike to start the trend.
Up until the late fifties and early sixties, men would never be seen outside without a hat. That was before the advent of the baseball cap as a head protector or a hat espousing a view or allegiance. Several things probably prompted the change:
Transportation – men started spending more time in cars rather than walking. It was also less comfortable to wear a hat while driving.
Hair Style Changes – It was uncommon until the 60’s to see men with long hair which needed styling.
Hair was kept short to stay neat under a hat. The culture change in the 60’s not only loosened up fashion styles, but longer hair became the style among the younger generation.
Today the only hat you see me wearing is usually the baseball cap (which in earlier times was only worn by baseball players). Men today wear a baseball cap for head protection or simply to use the logo or writing on the hat to proclaim a statement.
The new normal in mid-2020 will show some radical changes in social norms.
First it will not be uncommon to see most people wearing some type of mask.
Second, social distancing will rule. Don’t come too close, don’t shake hands and the high five becomes an air five.
Third, gatherings will be smaller. Groups now are “restricted” to no more than ten during the Wuhan Flu pandemic, some form of that will more than likely continue after the pandemic subsides. This will be especially true for those most at risk – the elderly, frail, those with immune comprised systems, cardiac problems...
The “New” norm than becomes the “Next” norm.
“Don’t Panic” - Douglas Admas from the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
