CULTURE by Andres Leon
THE NEW NORMAL? THE NEW STANDARD OF NORMALCY ON CAMPUS IS EVER CHANGING
E
very day that I have class, I
that’s in the same department as me.
that I would have inevitably looked up
wake up to the same text from
The greetings are always awkward
on the class Beachboard. Not having
my beautiful partner who I love very
and uncomfortable because I have
to print out assignments in the library
dearly and it reads the same every
“forgotten how to human,” as the
at the last minute is cool too because
time, “CSULB Reminder: Before
millennials say. I just shook that guy’s
now I can wait until the literal last
coming to campus for an in-person
hand, should I have gone for the classic
minute to hit the submit button for any
class today, please complete the
fist bump? Elbow even? Most men I
due work.
COVID-19 All Student Pre-Screen in
see in the bathrooms don’t wash their
SSO.” It always makes my heart flut-
hands and now I have to apply hand
feel safe enough, but can’t help winc-
ter, reminding me that I am loved and
sanitizer for the fifteenth time today.
ing every time someone within arms
never forgotten. Sure, it’s a tad over-
Don’t get me started on the
reach of me sneezes or coughs. Is it the
bearing to get the same text but it’s
dreaded hug. What am I supposed to
common cold? Is it allergies? Is it just
understandable after spending so long
do, reject a hug after months of being
a photic sneeze reflex? Who knows.
apart from each other.
deprived of being around people? I
I’m probably better off not knowing.
probably should but I won’t. That’s
I’ll wait for the time that my love, LBSU,
dance with ebbs and flows. Every time
why I’m vaccinated, right?
notifies me that I’ve been exposed in
I open a door on campus I don’t feel the
I guess a good thing about
a vague message and leaves me in
need to wash my hands — I only apply
this is that I haven’t encountered any
a state of confusion and panic. Until
hand sanitizer twice after, no big deal.
physical handouts of papers during
then I’ll be doing my daily routine of
Walking along the paths of
class whatsoever which is cool, now
routines, living the new normal.
LBSU is always fun now because
my classes are as paperless as my
I commonly end up seeing some-
bank statements. I wasn’t a huge fan
one I met over Zoom or social media
of carrying around a crinkled syllabus
Coming to class feels like a
When I sit in a classroom now I
Illustration by Patrick Daugherty
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