A long, long time ago when I was in college, I pledged a fraternity.
It was a new fraternity, and me and my six other pledge brothers were the first pledge class.
The founding brothers had made it clear to us that as we were the first pledge class, we had to make a statement to the rest of the college community: we would have the longest and toughest pledge season of any other fraternity on campus.
So, after eight weeks of a grueling pledge season (no hazing – it was more like military boot camp) we were one of two fraternities on campus that still had not “graduated” into their fraternity.
That night (which thankfully was the last night) we were told that we would be marching to the nearest big city, which I roughly calculated to be about 20 miles away.
I remember thinking, “Ok, whatever. You guys have thrown everything at us for the last eight weeks. We’ve done everything asked of us – as best as we could. I’m ready to do this, I want to be in the fraternity, but I’m also ready to get my normal life back.”
And today, I’m kind of feeling that way about the pandemic.
Over the last two years I’ve been vaccinated twice, boosted once, worn masks everywhere, missed holiday get togethers and other events, washed my hands thousands of times, and kept my distance from other people – both for my safety and theirs.
But I’m ready to start living a somewhat normal life. I’m not sure if I’m ever going to be entirely comfortable going to a restaurant or bar – but that’s something for the future.
Unfortunately, I think COVID-19 is here to stay. I don’t think we will ever get the “all clear” signal. Will it eventually be brought under control and be reclassified from “pandemic” to “endemic”? I think so.
I believe the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare providers, and government agencies have done the absolute best they could – especially with a moving target like COVID-19.
Has everything been perfect? Of course not. Nothing every is. But we use the tools and resources we have to do the best we can.
And if you are wondering how that 20-mile march went it never happened. The other fraternity had graduated its pledge class earlier that night and we were let in so after without the march.
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