"The New Normal"

We stood in line early this morning , approximately 6 feet away from each other, some masked with bandannas, others with dust masks. We shifted nervously from foot to foot. No one spoke or looked at each other, no one even looked at their phones. No one said "I can't believe this shit is happening".. All I could read in their steely eyes was acquiescence and a determination to make this trip for supplies last..

And then the doors opened. We proceeded inside (still 6 feet apart), wiped our carts down with gloved hands and went down the aisles, while trying to make sure no one else was on them. Occasionally someone would walk into the same aisle as the other and would make eye contact for a brief moment. The look from their eyes was always one of worry, anger, concern for self safety or maybe even a bit of "Get the fuck out of my way - how dare you occupy the same space as me!".

Aisle by aisle I went, filling my cart with needed provisions: canned goods, coffee, powdered milk, protein powder etc.
Eventually I reached the checkout line. Once again that "social distancing" between the isolated people was being self-enforced: "The new normal"..
But this is far from normal.. Very fucking far..

Eventually I got to the register and unloaded my cart. The cashier was friendly. I could tell she was smiling underneath her mask. She had kind eyes. I said "Strange times we are living in eh"? She replied "Oh man, you can say that again". She then found a coupon for the protein powder and told me - "There - I saved you $3!"
I was appreciative. It was good to have a bit of a conversation and acknowledge the surrealism of it all with a fellow human (through a plastic shield of course - but still - it was a brief but warm exchange).

I told her that I hoped they were paying her double time or hazard pay for putting herself on the front-line of exposure to the dreaded virus.. . She seemed to be happy to be considered an "essential" employee who could still pull a paycheck (unlike so many others) even though she was aware she was at a greater risk of exposure than just about anyone, except for perhaps health care workers (but of course - they wear much more protective gear than a grocery store cashier). Hundreds (or maybe even thousands) coming into the store everyday. The fear, the suspicion, the paranoia all very palpable and yet still this woman smiled and was cheerful through it all..

I left wondering how much longer "the new normal" would last. After this quarantine is lifted will people ever shake hands again, embrace, go to a concert, a theater, a restaurant, a bar?
Will those jobs (and small businesses) come back? Will all the people who are unfortunate enough to be considered "non-essential" find a way to earn a living again?
Will we ever look at each other again with a smile, a nod, a lack of suspicion?
I am old enough to remember how 911 changed people's psyches, but this somehow feels deeper, more invasive - like cutting to the very core of what it means to be human..

Social Distance by Thomas Dodd

Social Distance by Thomas Dodd

Update (October 2019)

Hey everyone!
Apologies for my lack of posting here on this page: I have been very busy taking care of my 98 year old (!) mother on a full time basis so that leaves me precious little time for artwork and social media. I am however, squeezing in some outdoor photoshoots this week - so stay tuned for some new Pre Raphaelite inspired art.

And also - you can check out my latest musings and shenanigans here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thomsdodd/

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