Life is moving in a positive direction. After more than a year of uncertainty, California is loosening many of the restrictions implemented due to the pandemic. Residents are now returning to the life they lived just a year prior with a new commitment to make each day count.
Getting Vaccinated
In Los Angeles and the surrounding area, residents use apps like Nextdoor to help find locations of close proximity to get the vaccine. The welcoming site becomes a valuable asset to members of the community. It’s informative, accurate and safe. Nextdoor’s racial profiling prevention strategies provide a comfortable environment that makes it easy to converse freely with your neighbors, by eliminating discrimination.
Stepping Up to the Plate
During difficult times, it’s the people who take initiative to help those in their community that deserve praise. Culver City leaders created a group called FeedCulver, which to date, delivered more than 40,000 meals to local residents and restaurants. It’s these acts of kindness that stand out as a true representation of the American spirit. Across the country, other groups performed similar acts of caring and kindness.
Fewer Restrictions
Per state officials, as of late April, Los Angeles County is ready to move to the red tier. This means activities previously prohibited like indoor dining, shopping at retail stores and private gatherings are now allowable with limited capacity. If the numbers continue on a downward trend, LA county residents can expect to see more restrictions removed in the not-too-distant future.
The Harm Done
Lost wages and jobs are obvious casualties of the pandemic. However, not so obvious is the state of personal mental health. Most people don’t handle isolation well. They can endure it for a week or so, but after that, they become susceptible to high levels of anxiety and bouts of depression. Social media sites let people converse freely and meeting face-to-face while social distancing is possible with Zoom and Facetime. While a blessing in disguise, they don’t replace the need for real human contact. Hugging and expressing affection towards another is natural. Those with pre-existing mental health issues suffered more.
School Closures
The lockdown included schools. Initially, the government planned it for 2 weeks, enough to flatten the curve and reduce the number of COVID-19 cases. However, they quickly learned that they underestimated the time frame. Mixed facts on whether children were super spreaders also prevented schools from reopening. Today, schools are beginning to open and kids are once again returning to in-classroom learning. While encouraging, many parents who were front and center during remote learning for over a year have many concerns. Their children didn’t get the same type of education that the classroom provides. Unfortunately, as a direct result, many children are far behind their grade level requirements.
Lessons Learned
The virus took Americans by surprise, catching much of the population off guard. Today, most of these same people have a new appreciation for quality of life. They no longer take any day for granted. Diminished family values are going away, self-care is now essential, and technology has advantages. People also learned that you need money in the bank for emergencies. They have a new focus to reduce debt and gain control over their money. With many businesses opening in Los Angeles, there’s plenty of opportunities to work. Even if you already have a full-time job, taking on a part-time job for a year or so can help reduce debt and establish savings.
For Los Angeles residents and surrounding counties, life is showing positive signs of a return to normal. Businesses are now opening with limited capacity, which should improve over the next few months. Kids are returning to school, and social distancing is now just 3 feet apart.
