Pand-ended Part 1: Three Years Later

Courtesy of ABC News

It's been three years since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 virus a pandemic. An epidemic became a pandemic. These days in Japan it feels like the virus is no longer a threat even as the country's innately cautious culture loosens up. Still, we shouldn't forget how traumatic the past three years have been on the world.

It's important to remember that emotions don't always align with facts or objective reasoning. Feelings are not based on facts or truths. When the pandemic started, I remember my workplace was indecisive and unprepared. In March 2020, countries implemented travel and re-entry restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Yet, the Rising Family™ decided to go to Cancun, Mexico, on our vacation. We rolled the dice. It made sense, to us, at the time. We had good times. Hindsight is 20-20. We were very lucky.

What astounds me the most is how quickly world society normalized a virus that killed nearly 7 million people in three years. Ultimately, the pandemic taught us that even in the face of a deadly pandemic, people adjusted. They faced down and accepted the very real threat of death that was outside of their control.

So far, I've received four vaccines. I walk around without a mask, uncowed by the slight chance of being infected, yet respectful of others. The vast majority of Japanese people are still wearing masks in enclosed spaces. There are lingering fears of catching COVID. Masks also help folks avoid the dreaded spring pollen allergies.

As official restrictions have lifted, self-imposed mental restrictions slowly melt away. To wit: media coverage has focused on foreign tourists returning. It's interesting to see unmasked foreign tourists in downtown Tokyo greatly outnumbered by masked locals. The Japanese government has signaled it is back to business by opening up the country again without restrictions or medical checks at border entry points. Cherry blossoms bloom. Spring brings new hope for "normalcy."

It's tempting to move on from the pandemic and willfully forget about it. But we must remember the impact the pandemic had on our lives, including grief, lifestyle changes, and social adjustments.

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