Sixty-Something: “2022”

I am one of those guys who for the first two weeks of every new year writes the wrong year date on my checks. The last two years have been most bizarre with lots of fear and hope. There are some people who have had a successful career year this last year. Then there are others who have been ruined by the effects of Covid on their businesses and jobs. However, 2022 is at hand in a few days with the hypothetical fresh start.

The new normal is dealing with all the unknowns of the variations of the Covid virus. Even all “boostered” up, is anyone really safe? Yet, there are those risk takers refusing to live in fear. While I stayed home this holiday season, I know of one gentleman who took his family on a safari in Kenya. Others have headed down to their second home in places like Florida. They are not letting anything change their plans.

It seems 2022 will be the year everyone will have to decide just how out of quarantine they are going to live. Sixty-something folks like me have put off bucket list projects in the name of safety. The choice has not always been ours. Many opportunities have been limited in the name of safety. I believe in 2022 that is going to change.

There are many protocols in force now to keep everyone safer. Supposedly, it now comes down to when to risk doing something and maybe get sick. Attending events like weddings, birthday parties, work meetings, church, and even funerals are decisions we are now making. I have been amazed at the attendance of sporting events. Perhaps because I have been personally so careful.

In 2022, the fear of catching Covid may become less of a red flag of death, but more of the inevitability of a bad summer cold. Obviously, I say that being optimistic.

Someone explained to me how at first, almost everyone in London was scared to do anything during the “blitzkrieg” during World War II. Then, eventually their lives crawled back to a new normal. Even while knowing perhaps tonight a German bomb might land on their home. I believe many are at the point of accepting the ways things now are and are willing to get on with their lives.

New lectures on how to thrive in the new Covid economy will most likely be taught online. Maybe along with what is best to do once you test positive.

Speaking of testing for Covid, by the end of 2022 will everyone be tested somehow, somewhere for some safety reason, such as to fly or attend functions? Although triple boostered up, I have never been tested. Most likely in 2022 that will change.

What I am predicting is that I will have great sailing days in Gardiner’s Bay as well as tasty lobster rolls at many venues. I will get to the beach on warm days and I will enjoy some “grilling” in my backyard. I am not sure if I will finish my third novel, but I am hoping to get to interview some wonderful folks and write about it on hamptons.com. In the end, we are all going to go through 2022 on the east end together. Let’s hope for the best year ever.