I am not sure if anyone else has found it tricky to find new topics of conversations with the people around them. We tend to gain our news from the same sources, leaving little for discussion at our collective mealtimes. My parents and I were discussing normality, and the potential return to it when this is all over. It further raised the question of whether it really come to an end as soon as we hope or can predict and plan for. It is difficult to imagine returning to life before in exactly the same way. My dad compared this to travelling in the United States, or anywhere in the world for that matter, before 9/11. Moving through an airport and the precautions taken would have been a very different experience, and one we have little to no recollection of. Yet these measures are just assumed, they are no longer questioned and taken to be the norm. What will we have to adapt in our lives over the next six months to a year that will be soon considered commonplace? It might be itchy and uncomfortable at first, like a new haircut you’re not quite used to (all the girls who have cut their own fringes or boys shaving their heads in isolation) but soon you get used to it.
There was an article in the New York Times a few weeks ago, titled “Celebrity Culture is Burning” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/arts/virus-celebrities.html. There has been much criticism of certain celebrities as of late, almost preaching for people to stay home and donate despite themselves being in quite privileged situations. From Gal Gadot to Vanessa Hudgens, this has only reinforced the ‘cancelled culture’ we continue to live in and Owen rightly pointed out in his blog this week. Celebrities no longer have the same stature in our global society right now. They are not swanning around fashion weeks or award shows, on luxury island vacations, or getting ready to attend the Met Gala next Monday. They are stuck at home, much like everyone else who can afford to be, and the article highlights that this does not make them very interesting (One of the funniest things to come out of this celebrity push for solidarity is John Mayer singing the wrong version of Imagine for Gal Gadot’s rendition, I think you can find it on TikTok). This further reinforces the idea of the new normal. What new role will celebrities play, how will they fill new parameters?
What I think this time has highlighted is the power of community action, and looking within for inspiration. The power of single campaigns has captured the popular imagination. Tom Moore, the nearly 100 year-old man who has walked 100 laps of his garden for the NHS reached £1 million in donations just under a week ago. At the time of writing this blog, he has raised over £26.5 million for the NHS staff and volunteers. At a time when many charitable events have been cancelled, and conventional fundraising does not fit with social distancing, we are seeing how people adapt. Similarly, Olivia Strong’s Run for Heroes campaign which sees people run 5k and donate £5 has such a simple premise, but she has seen her initial goal of £5000 grow to over £3m. This time has not stopped people raising money, much the opposite. ‘Ordinary’ people have championed change, we have seen how local action has spread globally.
While we could this period as one where countries are becoming increasingly insular, as borders close and politicians throw ugly comparisons to convince their critics they are doing a good job. It has also showcased empathetic leadership in many cases, it has brought local communities together, made people actually get to know their neighbours and forced a reconsideration of priorities. This will only continue, and further contribute to the new normal. How will this time be remembered? Will it be the frequent face-offs and name calling between Cuomo and Trump? Jacinda Ardern’s declaration that the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny are essential workers? Or will people like Tom Moore and the weekly 8pm clapping be written as triumphs through hardship, indicative of this British Keep Calm and Carry On mentality? It will be easy to write this pandemic through national histories, but when it is such a global issue, it will be so important to encapsulate the wider experience.