Mariana Zilbershteyn, A New Normal (DOCO 2022)

Two years of pandemic is gradually giving way to endemic living conditions, providing hope for a return to a ‘new normal’. In December 2021 the island paradise of Fiji was one of the first to open its borders to international tourism. Over 30,000 tourists saw an opportunity to escape their Covid bubbles and experience something that had seemed unattainable, a holiday. For most the dream became a reality; sun, sand and cocktails, the quintessential tropical escape. For a few the reality of the ‘new normal’ was much more complex. One family, in desperate need of respite and relaxation, saw this as a chance to get away and spend time as a family. Two years of lockdowns combined with the stress of a husband and father battling an advanced cancer diagnosis, had given them the motivation take a chance. After more than a week of sun, swimming and family time, Covid made its presence known. Their son tested positive three days before they were due to return. To protect their immune-compromised father, the family were forced into making a difficult decision. The family split, with father and daughter returning home, while mother and son remained for an uncertain period of time. The sadness of separating was exacerbated by the father testing positive on return home and entering hospital for several days. This anxiety and stress continued in contrast to the mother and son remaining in isolation in a luxury resort in Fiji. The father recovered and returned home to be with their daughter, the mother and son spent time in the resort, swimming, relaxing and enjoying a rare opportunity to spend time together until they are allowed to return and are re-united with their family. As we strive for return to to normality, we are reminded at times that the world has changed. While we will face difficult times, we shouldn’t be afraid to take time and enjoy what we have and who we get to spend time with.

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