“New normal” has become a catchphrase that I am tired of hearing. I’ve personally always thought normal just a setting on a dryer.

Not everyone’s perception of normal is the same and what’s normal for one, might not be normal for someone else.  With the exception of not being able to go certain places because they were shutdown and cooking more, my life has pretty much been the same throughout the “plandemic”, we’re going through. 

There have been a few more obstacles to overcome like wading through PPP paperwork and trying to figure out what to do next, but there are always cycles throughout life every now and then. I don’t think many of us will go back to the way things used to be though. I know I won’t take the little things like hugs from people, for granted. 

Sunday, I was able to get hugs from a couple granddaughters and daughter and son-in-law though so my day was good.

One thing that I have really noticed is how people jump to conclusions and take sides before they even know the facts of a story. Whatever you feel about the Arbery case, we need to hear all the facts, not just snippets of video, or heresay. There is always more to stories than meets the eye, but before we take up a cause, we should know all of the facts. I don’t really have an opinion on the case, because, first of all, I was not there, and secondly, I do not know all of the facts. It’s always tragic to me when someone loses a life, regardless of the circumstances. 

I try not to have knee-jerk responses on things but with all the opinions and naysayers in the world, it is sometimes hard. There are so many different opinions, even in the medical community about whether wearing a mask is good or not and if you want to, that’s up to you. And if I don’t want to, that’s should be up to me and people should just leave other people alone about their preference.

It has really gotten out of hand when people want to shame other people and even report them when they are doing something such as not wearing a mask or that they don’t agree with personally. Geeze! When did people start appointing themselves as the Gestapo? Can’t we just leave people alone and tend to our own selves instead of getting in everyone’s business?  To me this is an adult version of tattletaling! Get over yourself and mind your own business.

It’s time everyone got back to work and I’ve read that some people don’t want to go back because they make more on unemployment. How sad is that? So more and more people will be dependent on government handouts. Let’s just kill the good old-fashioned hard work ethic, why don’t we.

What people don’t seem to realize is that sooner or later the piper must be paid. That comes from those people who work hard every day and are contributing.  I don’t think someone else should foot the bill for me when I am able bodies and able to work for myself. And I don’t ever want to have a mentality of expecting the government to take care of me. That is socialism and it does not work for the good of everyone.

I do not like zoom meetings. They are frustrating and some people go in and out if they are on their phones. I recently attended one as a reporter, and my name was not shown, just my phone type. I did not have my microphone on because I was just an observer, not a contributor. The people meeting wanted to kick me off because they did not know who I was and because I did not have my microphone on! Really! People were invited to this meeting and given log-in information so if someone didn’t receive an invitation, they wouldn’t be logging in, I don’t think. Anyway to keep from being thrown out of a virtual meeting, I turned my microphone off and had to announce myself. This is ridiculous.

I’m glad to learn that the recreation department will be holding ball practice and having a season. Since it’s been proven that sunlight kills viruses, what better way to enjoy being outside. Thank goodness there are some people with common sense and who are ready to get on with life. Living in fear is not living at all and if you stay confined until it’s safe, you won’t ever go out because it never really it completely safe. 

What’s worse than any virus to me if watching our rights being trampled on every day. Government was never created to shut down due to a pandemic. Doesn’t make any sense to destroy an economy by shutting down from a virus that has more than a 98% survival rate. I believe, we will find out even more down the road, how much of a “plandemic” this was.

Hats off to those officials and citizens who refused to give in to the fear mongering and carried on pretty much the same as always. 

I’m apalled at the abuse of  power by people in government that is coming out every day. I’m tired of hearing they will be arrested. Let’s get it done already and move forward. Doesn’t matter which side of the politican platform they are on, if they committed crimes, then arrest and prosecute. 

To clear up a misconception: no you do not have to vote by absentee ballots. A mail in request for absentee ballot was sent to every voter in Georgia supposedly, but that doesn’t mean you have to make that request or that you have to use it. If you did request one, you can still vote in person, just take the absentee ballot with you when you vote. There has been case after case of ballot harvesting with mail-in voting and I refuse to contribute to that possibility in any way. Go to the polls and vote.

You need an ID for many things and voting should be one of those required things for IDs. It’s the safest way to ensure your vote counts and that it was cast by the right person.

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com