A 72-foot-long Brachiosaurus skeleton looks over travelers as they board their planes in Chicago O’Hare International Airport. And just like the thousands that come through the airport everyday, the dinosaur wears a mask to protect itself from COVID-19. Signs around the dinosaur flash reminding travelers that going maskless is a federal offense, while a similar public service announcement echoes through the terminals.
We will be in a pandemic for the rest of our lives, requiring us to wear a mask and show a vaccine card to eat in many restaurants. And if that is the case, there is certainly no point in letting it rule our conversations, too.
For two years now, the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated the lives of Americans. Reminders of the virus are simply everywhere, from a giant dinosaur, to the person standing next to you. Americans are constantly being screened for symptoms, and how and if the pandemic ends must be the most popular small-talk topic.
The only person who probably has ever reaped joy from discussing COVID-19 is Dr. Anthony Fauci, so why don’t we just shut up about it already?
Maybe we talk about the pandemic because we are so angry at it for disrupting what was a seemingly perfect life. Schools were normal, the economy was booming, and concerts were lively. But after two years of talking about it, it is certainly not making anything better.
And besides the women in S.T.E.M, is there anyone who actually desires to unpack the little microscopic virus that is running rampant through our country? Imagine if everyday talk about COVID-19 stopped. Just as a flower dies when it’s deprived of water, COVID-19’s control on our life would die along with our chatter.
Everyone knows the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again without any change in result. This is what we are doing with COVID-19. Our time is better spent discussing taxes.
Let’s leave the airport PA system to be the only one talking about the annoying virus and just shut up about COVID-19 already.
