BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ
It’s The New Normal now but let’s rewind and take a look at The Old Normal, if it can be called as such, but since it is not necessary to argue, let’s just focus for now on how it was before The New Normal was introduced.
In The Old Normal what is most noticeable and obvious is that life was lived in measured terms, there was a sense of certainty and security and many people were living comfortable lives and did not have to apply themselves diligently.
Such was the feeling and great was the assurance of the people as people lived in abundance, jobs were plentiful, credit and loans came easy and it looked as if in Malaysia the economic booms will last forever.
A too good to be true life
Couples were marrying and giving into marriage, there was an influx in child bearing, houses, apartments and condominiums were sufficient for most Malaysians and private car ownership was on an upswing.
All this politics of plenty was too good to be true and Malaysia was the proverbial land of ‘milk and honey’ which was an attraction to hordes of migrant workers, both legal and illegal, and almost everything was available fast and easy.
There was no need to yelp as even before a person voiced their need, complaint or grievances, it was attended to by the government of the day and this scenario went on for several decades and did not look like it would come to an end.
In a twinkling of an eye everything changed
The change that took place was sudden and dramatic and what actually transpired and occurred was that a great disruption took place not only in the lives of every Malaysian but all over the world as well.
It was the Covid-19 pandemic which led to the introduction of The New Normal which witnessed the change from a measured life under The Old Normal to people living in an atmosphere of fear, distrust and suspicion throughout the country.
Life for Malaysians went into a tailspin as people masked up, kept a social distance and sanitised themselves taking precautions everywhere and it caused the gig economy to boom, scams to increase and changed the Malaysian way of life.
Making the most of The New Normal
The dreaded coronavirus lasted for about two years before it became reduced in activity but not before it did untold damage that could be undone by inflicting suffering, pain and hardship on billions of earthlings.
The question being frequently asked is: “Where do we go from here?” This, however, is an open question which produces many possibilities and permutations but at the end of the day it is obvious Malaysians have to make the most of The New Normal.
While the past, or The Old Normal was good, to make life better now under The New Normal Malaysians would have to reposition themselves, be realistic and pick up the pieces to once again rebuild their lives and the nation.
**As a philosopher and realist Christopher Fernandez does not see the glass half empty but half full which means he sees hope for Malaysians
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
(The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher)
