Life is trying to return to normal, but apparently it’s not as easy as riding a bike. Trying to plan any event is an exercise in not only logistics–guest list, food, venue, coordinating one date–but public safety. Protecting the masses just so we can gather is something we will have to stumble through, and sometimes it’s a slow stumble. We have to get back into it as if we’ve all got brain fog, and not assume anything until we’re sure.
Why? We’re having trouble with remembering how it’s all done, as well as finding out what is not done the same way as before. It’s not just what was, but what is.
I went on my first trip to New York City in nearly two years, and just getting a morning bus was difficult. Instead of a generous schedule, only two morning departures made up the itinerary on a Saturday, when NYC wants people to come on up and get Broadway back in the black. The bus companies need to remember that some performances are earlier than 2:00. Mine was set for 1:00, and had I taken the later bus, I would have stood an eighty to ninety percent chance of not making it. Cabs were not as plentiful, and my walk was a good 45 minutes. This meant taking an early bus at an ungodly hour and killing a couple of hours in which the only things open were eateries serving breakfast and pharmacies. Ten thousand steps? Yes, got that done.
Performances and even restaurants may have pre-admission checks in which you are asked to present proof you got your shot. Faces must be covered for the whole performance. I could unmask at Starbucks and use a table for my breakfast, which was a treat.
In the city’s many blessedly open spaces, it was possible to unmask when crowds were not milling about. Most people were resigned to wearing protection pretty much everywhere, and nobody grumbled about it. I did encounter a Darren (guy Karen) at the bus terminal who was a bit miffed at missing his bus by minutes. That’s one thing you can count on: the busses are punctual to a fault. Be there or wait awhile.
Doing something scheduled outside of working from home has been strange, but I felt good working it all out, following the new policies and being rewarded with an entertaining afternoon. We will see more of this as we start to fully emerge from isolation.
And as we relearn how to use and fill up appointment books.
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