We supposedly live in a post-COVID world. But what does that even mean? Does it mean the pandemic is over? Not really. Does it mean we’ve all moved on? Definitely not. It mostly means that we’ve adjusted—sometimes in hilariously absurd ways—to a reality that’s permanently altered. 

Take, for instance, my workplace encounter the other day. I was sneezing—a perfectly normal bodily function, mind you—and a colleague decided not to meet in my office. Instead, we had a Zoom meeting. While sitting in offices right next to each other. Pre-2020, that would have been unheard of. Now? Just another day in the “new normal.” 

And speaking of new norms, let’s talk about sidewalk dining. In NYC, where I am, one of the lasting changes is the explosion of outdoor seating. Lovely, right? Except, reality check: many of these “cozy” café spots are wedged between overflowing trash bins and exhaust-spewing delivery trucks. Nothing enhances your pasta like a whiff of hot garbage and brake dust. Bon appétit!

Public transit has also undergone a subtle but noticeable transformation. Mondays and Fridays? Ghost town vibes. But come Wednesday? Suddenly, you can’t find a seat, and your personal space bubble is gone. It’s as if all of NYC collectively decided that Tuesday is the best work-from-home day. (Smart move, honestly.) 

And then there’s the sneeze shift. Before COVID, people would sneeze freely into their hands, onto surfaces, or just into the abyss (shudder). Now, I instinctively sneeze into my arm like an Olympic-level vampire. It’s muscle memory at this point. And if you dare cough in public? You will be judged. Harshly. 

What else is different? Casual masks. Entire industries that now function remotely. The way we awkwardly hesitate before shaking hands. The new unspoken rule that if you’re feeling even a little sick, you should just stay home. (Revolutionary, right?) 

So yes, we’re post-COVID in that we are living in the long, weird aftershock of it all. A world where we Zoom our coworkers from ten feet away, dine in car exhaust, and navigate fluctuating train schedules like amateur statisticians. It’s strange, but it’s ours. And honestly? I think we’re handling it the best way we can—one sneeze into the elbow at a time.