THE TRUTH ABOUT THE NEW NORM

A few months ago, when the first case of Covid 19 was reported in Kenya, at least everyone was talking about it. Those who knew nothing about it, those who pretended to be well informed about this life-threatening virus, medical practitioners who were and still are the front-line workers, the internet was ablaze with different articles and information about it, bloggers were also not left behind. Covid 19 managed to make people talk.

 

The government of Kenya did everything they could to stop the spread of this deadly virus, for many had never seen the government taking anything this serious.’’ Could this be the end of human race?’ whispers were heard all over. It all depended on oneself to take care and protect the ones they loved for things were getting serious. Panic and fear took over people, many started being cautious and observing the guidelines. No one wanted to be the first to be taken down by Covid. This moved on for months until when the Education Cabinet Secretary made announcements of reopening schools which had been closed for some months. Almost everyone had an opinion about this. You could clearly tell people were scared.

Now let me take you back to Moi university main campus. When we reported back you could see students with boxes of masks which were to last a whole semester, litres of sanitizers, some even came back with gloves. With people travelling back to school from different parts of the country it was only normal to get worked up and overwhelmed at the thought of COVID 19. You could hear some students talking about the ‘new norm’. Question was how long was this ‘new norm’ going to last? This was on the first weeks of reporting back.

Students at Moi University 

Later,  students were seen being reluctant, I mean let's not lie , we all saw this coming, it was expected after some time. It got to a point where it didn’t matter anymore if one wears a mask or not the new fashion is wearing it on the chin, washing hands is optional and entirely depends on our moods, maintaining social distance is a measure that is no longer achievable. From observations not only in school but also at our different homes it is evident that we have failed to adapt to the new norm. Making the new norm work is a hard task. The fear is slowly leaving us and this is dangerous not only for us but for the ones we hold dear.

Our new norm is getting back to our old ways. The time when all these measures and guidelines that have been put in place didn’t matter, the times when alcohol-based sanitizers was someone’s favorite drink on a weekend, masks were only worn by surgeons and doctors treating contagious patients, people seen meeting up with friends and holding family gathering for different occasions without having any permit from the ones in authority. Covid 19 is no longer seen as risk by many and this will cost us.