Kassidy Brown: Journey reaches some normalcy

Jan. 21—Over the previous couple years as COVID has slowly winded down, touring has change into much less of a danger and returned some normalcy to it.

That’s not to say that COVID is not nonetheless round, and it’ll probably be with us ceaselessly.

I’ve traveled a bit during the pandemic, together with occasions that I needed to for away volleyball video games as a result of I used to be a university athlete, and I’ve seen just a few adjustments since then.

At first it was essential to preserve a masks available.

For instance, I went to observe Harry Types in live performance in October of 2021, and a vaccination card or proof of a detrimental COVID check was wanted to get into the venue.

It was the identical for an additional live performance I went to in February 2022.

It was not till later in 2022 that masks and vaccine playing cards have been wanted much less and fewer in public areas.

Extra locations are additionally permitting extra individuals in with out limiting capability or social distancing.

I’ve not traveled by airplane anyplace, so I am unsure what the foundations on these are like nonetheless proper now; nevertheless, I am positive they’re enjoyable similar to the remainder of the nation.

I feel it is actually loopy to see how a lot modified through the time that COVID was extraordinarily prevalent to now.

I am unsure if COVID has relaxed or individuals simply stopped caring about it, however I’ve loved the liberty of attending to go locations with out having to ensure I’ve my vaccination card on me or a masks.

I’ve stayed in lodges and Air B&B’s and I’ve solely seen COVID protocols for the latter, however that is to not say lodges do not have them anymore.

The restricted quantity of journey that was allowed throughout COVID, together with the journey I did throughout it, made me actually recognize the flexibility to journey with out having to fret.

I do know there have been lots of people who didn’t let the pandemic hinder their journey plans, however for me, I’ve grandparents that I noticed fairly repeatedly, so I labored actually onerous to ensure I adopted protocols and took precautions when touring.

I feel this expertise with the pandemic was a great factor in a method as a result of it made lots of people together with me recognize the flexibility to not solely journey with out worries but in addition see relations, go to work, and do regular day-to-day duties.

It additionally confirmed a chunk of historical past to us that I am positive many people by no means thought we might expertise.

Although in a much less excessive method, it confirmed how individuals needed to reside throughout different main pandemics by historical past such because the Spanish Influenza pandemic of the 1920 and the Black Plague.

I feel it was a great lesson on one thing that we now have been advised a number of occasions which is historical past repeats itself.

This was not the primary pandemic, and it’ll virtually definitely not be the final.

I do know I’m undoubtedly completely satisfied that we’re beginning to have the ability to be capable to journey like we used to with much less worries.

I’m younger, so I actually need to journey a bit earlier than I get too previous to do a lot.

I really feel that touring is a vital a part of studying in regards to the world and even our personal nation as a result of there are such a lot of totally different cultures simply inside the U.S., so now that there are much less dangers doing it, I hope extra younger individuals strive it.

Many individuals in my technology missed out on lots of milestones and experiences within the later years of highschool and early school years, so I hope they’ll make up time in our new-found freedom to go exterior.

— Kassidy Brown is the Each day Telegraph’s Options Editor. Contact her at [email protected].