We are now a little over two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and with that, came drastic social, economic, and scientific changes. The way an average person went about their day was altered in a manner that some might not recover from. The new “normal” as it will, revolves around a lot of sanitation: wearing masks, washing hands more frequently, using hand sanitizer, and of course, social distancing. The effects this virus has had on society have been catastrophic not only in the lives it has claimed, but in the lives, it now dictates.
The public is fearful, paranoid even, and with the vaccines coming out, they believe they’ve reached the end of the tunnel. This ending, however, looks exceptionally different depending on which country you come from.
My family in Egypt has been updating me on how COVID was handled there, and that would be that it wasn’t. The public does not take it seriously nor do they seem to care. Egypt has then not been reporting accurate data, and to be honest, we doubt it recorded any at all. Sad as it is, Egypt has bigger problems to deal with than COVID-19. From the persecution facing the minorities to political corruption and unsanitary hospital conditions even for some of the people who could afford it.
The goal is then to look to western societies and juxtapose how they might be handling it, and the answer is not pretty regardless of which country. To begin, The United States of America appears divided on how to move forward. Politics aside, half the country fears the vaccine and the other half wants to force them to take it. Though despite taking the vaccine, they continue to mask and social distance as it is now ingrained into their subconscious as societal norms- or fear of public shaming. To adequately judge how America moves on, those factors must be taken into consideration as in some parts of the country, COVID does not exist while in others, you require a vaccination card to eat at a restaurant.
Travel seems consistent as they require COVID vaccinations in addition to most universities now requiring it as well. Again, there is a political agenda associated with vaccinations, and that climate should be taken into consideration when observing these requirements.
For the past couple of weeks, I have been living in the United Kingdom and their attitude mirrors Egypt in that the country has entirely moved on. People walk around maskless and without social distancing. They are also not required to present a vaccination card to enter clubs, restaurants, bars, or any other establishment. The difference between the UK and Egypt, however, is that they have access to vaccines and a much more equipped health care system.
During those few weeks, I also had the pleasure of visiting Berlin for a couple of days and Berlin leans closer towards how some states in America are handling COVID-19. While I was on the trip there, I had to carry my vaccination card with me wherever I went as I would need it for restaurants, clubs, and even the hotel we stayed at. Masks were still worn and social distancing was observed in addition to a lot of the nightlife being closed down during the week- something I was informed is not the pre-COVID normal for Berlin.
I found it interesting how each country responded to the virus initially but now as we enter this gray area where people have just adjusted to COVID rules, they must eventually be lifted. I worry that because it is now a social norm that some people are just scared of the change back. Regardless, it is safe to say that at least Egypt, the UK, and Germany seem to be unified in their approach. The United States, however, continues to battle within itself as half of the country demands to move on, and the other demands slow caution.
As I continue with my time in Europe, I will continue to observe the differences among the countries I plan to visit. At the moment, I have a trip planned for reading week which is from Friday, Nov 5th to Monday, Nov 15th. My trip revolves around Greece and Italy and I will be starting with Santorini, somewhere I have been dreaming of visiting for years.
Though exhilarating, this trip terrifies me as I will be going on it alone. I have plans to meet up with friends in certain cities but for the most part, this trip is mine alone. I have never traveled alone like this and as a young woman, it is terrifying, I owe it to myself not to allow this fear to debilitate me from doing exactly what I wanted to do in Europe: Travel. Not going on any trips just because I would be alone, erases the entire point of my studying abroad. I want to take advantage of the opportunities I am given and now that means stepping outside my comfort zone and doing something that scares me. I will, of course, keep you all updated but if all goes well I will make it out alive.
