Happy MLK day! For those of us in education, MLK day marks the unofficial beginning of the Spring semester. Of course, this year is unlike any other year. We’ve been living in a Groundhog Day-like simulation since the start of the pandemic (Difficult to believe we are only two months away from the one year anniversary of that). The turn of the semesters hasn’t really changed how we work, especially those that don’t have to physically go to campus. Every day is the same, and so is the work.
It won’t be normal until a sizable amount of people are vaccinated. I sure hope the incoming Biden administration does a far better job at distribution. Though the departing Trump administration have set a very low bar. I think the aim should be this: to be able to properly reopen by the Summer months.
In the meantime I’m obviously not going anywhere. Even on such a nice weekend when it is unseasonably warm and dry. It’s relatively safe to be outside and in the sun, right? I saw lots of cars parked alongside the roads near the Pacific Ocean, so lots of people have the same idea. The new mutant strain of COVID is giving me pause, however. Best to stay home until I myself get the vaccine needle.
As I said last week, my best fried caught the coronavirus, and is struggling mightily with the many symptoms. Thankfully, it’s not bad enough for an ICU trip, but it’s not any version of what you would call fun. He hasn’t even got the energy to watch the football games yesterday, which is quite severe for a rabid sports fan like him. Again, it could be worse, but it’s going to be a struggle until the symptoms pass. It’s been a solid two weeks already.
Suffice it to say, I’m not taking any undue risks until vaccination.
It’s just another day of sun.