Some GOOD things came about with the COVID crisis

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I have a building full of high-risk people.  Severe astma and lung issues.  And I don't mean the "I wheeze a little when I run" kind of asthma.  We have the "tell me a funny joke and I turn blue and go to the hospital for a week" kind of asthma.  My oldest boy only has 80% lung function as a 23 year old.  Also, my parents live(d) with us.  Dad was well into dementia and has always had lung issues as well.

Positives.

I have to admit, the increased social acceptance of masks in public has been great.  We have not had any lung related illness since before covid.  We typically have at least three cases of lung infection a year.  Also, only one cold, and that impacted only one person, my youngest daughter (14).

A year of distance learning has turned my kids into super-students.  They always got good grades, usually A's with a B or two for flavor.  Since returning to school in person this past fall, it is rare for me to see anything but 100% from my two youngest who are still in high school.  The communication and time management skills they learned when distance learning have really accelerated them.

Finally, the "new norm" fits my introverted family well.  Instead of spending our limited social energy on things that are "expected" we are able to be more discerning about what will enrich us and/or others lives, and engage with a level of energy and enthusiasm in those tasks that we didn't used to have.

So, we are happier, healthier and enjoying a better life than we did pre-covid.