New Normal: living alongside Covid-19
As many people begin the slow return to a new normal, and bubbles begin to be cast off, spare a thought for those who were already in bubbles before we had ever heard of Covid-19.
I am thinking here especially of the people I used to work with who live with a persistent pain condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). But the ideas here apply to everyone who lives with a condition that effectively means they live in a bubble.
Many people who live with persistent pain find it difficult to get out and about – their pain can impact on mobility, on mood, and some days, on everything.
Pre covid-19, for many people with persistent pain, going out to meet up socially was an effort: What if the venue is not accessible? What if the taxi doesn’t come? What if the taxi is not wheelchair friendly? What if I have a flare? And the many more other ‘what ifs’ that someone with persistent pain considers as they think about meeting up socially. And as a consequence often their social networks shrink. Many of those I speak to describe their lives as being in a bubble – before the word bubble crept into everyday language.
Arrival of Lockdown
The arrival of lockdown for many people with persistent pain was not so very different to their pre-lockdown days in terms of day-to-day living. BUT, what has changed for many is their sense of connection.
Video meet ups via the many different platforms became the norm. It was easy to check in on friends and family. Many people took part in weekly catch ups and drop ins which they have greatly appreciated. They felt connected for the first time in a long time.
Easing of Lockdown
What is beginning to change now though, is people are beginning to look at picking up the threads of their pre-lockdown life. Non-essential shops are opening. Hairdressers and barbers are opening. Restaurants are opening. Bars are opening. People are tentatively thinking about meeting up in the outside world.
Friends and family are beginning to say:
“Won’t it be nice to meet up in person?” and
“Soon we won’t need this Friday night zoom meeting”.
This is normal. It is normal to look forward to resuming something like our old life.
But in our rush to meet up in person we should spare a thought for friends and family who have really appreciated being connected – more connected than they have ever felt before via the magic of online video platforms.
The video meet ups took away the many ‘What If’s they had previously had to think through in order to work out if they could meet in person. They were in their own home which was set up to suit their needs. They could focus their attention on their friends and family and not be distracted by the ‘what If monster’.
The video meet ups levelled the playing field – we were all in our homes – apart, but together.
Looking forward
Take a moment and think about what it will be like when weekly online catch ups are ended.
Think about the positive change that the regular catch ups have had in terms of feeling connected and part of the world again for the person who was isolated.
Think about the negative impact of that new and much appreciated connection being severed.
Think about whether there is a way to continue the meet ups on a regular basis.
A new normal
Wouldn’t it be lovely if we continued the more inclusive and connected world we have created during lockdown.
Wouldn’t it be lovely if we spare a thought for those who were in effect in bubbles before lockdown and who will stay in bubbles post lock down. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we thought about how to keep a connection with them.
Wouldn’t it be lovely if we remembered that some bubbles don’t burst.
roddersruminations 