Horrible vision of 'normal'

After reading the article by Greg Asimakoupoulos in the Sunday Neighbor Section of the Daily Herald I was horrified by his vision of the "New Normal" for all of us after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. His vision is that we all must continue to practice social distancing, wear masks, stay at home unless absolutely necessary, and only meet and talk with others by virtual technical communication methods.

If this truly becomes reality then we will no longer have any contact sports like football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, marathons, etc. We will no longer have live concerts or plays. Orchestras will not be allowed to have any wind instruments. All members will have to wear masks. There will be no bars in which to socialize. No dine-in restaurants (how can you eat or drink with a mask?). All schools at all levels will have to cut their class sizes tremendously and all students and faculty members will have to wear masks.

There will be no proms, no reunions, no cruises, no tourist groups. Heck, there won't even be dating because touching, hugging, and kissing will not be allowed. Sexual relationships will no longer be tolerated.

All babies will be produced by in-vitro fertilization. If this is our future, then what is the point of living? All the real joys of life will be taken away. And I have not even touched upon the economic and mental health impacts or the infringement on our civil rights that would be necessary to enforce such measures. Not for me. I would rather be free and enjoy life than live under such conditions. I will take the risk.

John Noll

Naperville