Crooked Spire vicar's column: Here's an idea for the 'new normal'

The pandemic has thrown more light on some of the underlying divisions in society, and it has created one great divide between those who have been forced to stop ordinary life altogether, and those key workers and others whose ordinary lives have gone into overdrive.

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In both cases, the customary ways of sensing and marking the passage of time have gone out of the window, so a lot of people are wondering what has happened to the past three months.

And it ain’t over yet – not by a long chalk.

Restrictions may be progressively lifting, yet for some the restrictions may end up being long-lasting or even permanent.

There are still those who are afraid to leave their houses.

There are those people who are going to find there is no job for them any more.

There are those businesses which are trying to reopen and will find that the finances don’t work once the Government support tapers off.

There are those decision-makers who will find themselves held to account for what they did – or didn’t – do during the worst of the crisis.

My hope for any ‘new normal’ includes what may appear to be a vain hope for a kinder sort of society where people engage with each other instead of shouting or assuming the worst of those who disagree with them.

It includes a hope that together we can work out what is really important for us all, and together work to make it happen.

It includes a hope that the human dignity of all is recognised by all.

So far – so much the same.

Given the chance, I’ve been banging on about these things for years, and to be honest, these are things it’s hard to disagree with.

People have been telling me they agree – it makes a lot of sense – why don’t we do something about it – and so on.

And little has changed.

Indeed the tendency in much of the world seems to have been towards more divisive styles of politics, greater public anger, and greater problems over difference and exclusion.

So here’s an idea for the ‘new normal’.

Let’s build on all those good things that were being applauded during the lockdown, because frankly our lives depended on them.

Let’s use the NHS more responsibly and keep thanking all NHS workers for the everyday victories in healing and care.

Let’s support and get involved in the voluntary organisations that make life bearable for so many.

Let’s take a greater and more positive interest in the people who work in local Government – even get more involved in local and national democracy instead of just complaining about things when they don’t suit.

You know it makes sense... do you? Really?

Keep safe and keep well.

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