A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of watching my 14-year-old daughter compete in a soccer exhibition before college coaches and scores of weary, but supportive parents. New teams and new parents crowded the hallways and sidelines of the indoor venue waiting for their turns. There was not one masked face in the place.

The next day, I enjoyed the sublime tones of my 18-year-old oboist daughter performing on the tightly packed stage at Orchestra Hall in Midtown Detroit with close to 100 fellow musicians and the customary crowd of assembled parents, some with grandparents in tow. Admission required a current vaccine card and a mask.

I would venture that many parents have encountered such wild juxtapositions of COVID policy during the past few months. That it makes absolutely no sense as a disease containment strategy should not come as a surprise. And it has little to do with the politicization of the current pandemic.

Take, for example, the initial response to AIDS/HIV as it boomed into the national consciousness in the 1980s. In the early days of that virus it was thought to be a death sentence. There was no vaccine (even still) and early treatments like AZT were thought by some to be nearly as [Read More]

By PAUL NATINSKY
Not long ago, it seemed the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic was simple in concept, but daunting in execution. Wear masks, socially distance and wait for a vaccine that could be years away.

Now, with very effective vaccines widely available, we struggle with variants from across the globe that are more contagious than the original bug. We see unanticipated complications in young people, and we see long-lasting aftereffects among adults who have survived the virus’ initial ravages—the long haulers.

As this pandemic’s onion-like nature leaves increasing layers of questions in place of solid core answers, one thing is clear. Our lives have forever changed.

Much like universal precautions in the wake of the AIDS/HIV threat of the 1980s and ‘90s, and the unceasing travel and security precautions in place since the terrorist attacks of 2001, it appears that COVID-19 will have lasting effects on how we congregate, eat, greet, travel and socialize.

Likely gone forever are the handshake, the casual greeting hug-and-kiss, the incredible energy of the large close crowds at ballgames, concerts, weddings and other celebrations.

Likely here to stay are social distancing, ubiquitous hand sanitizer, tests and temperature checks, plexiglass everywhere.

We’ll get used to it. Many of us already have. We’ll vaccinate, separate and hibernate when [Read More]