What are the phases of re-entry into society for us humans? 

Up until now we have heard that plans are being made with phases to re-open each state.  This phased approach is of course for businesses so that we can get the economy moving again in the safest way possible.  However, I am wondering who is looking at the impact psychologically and socially for all of us re-entering the world.

We have created new routines and have adapted the best we can to this new way of living.  It is hard to just open things up and assume that we will all go back to the way things were. I have already had the experience of trying to navigate someone getting too close to me while taking a walk or figuring out how to greet someone with a mask on.  I wonder how it will feel when we first go back to our offices or classrooms.  Everything ended very quickly and starting back up again will take time and transition.  We will need to figure out how to feel safe again and minimize feeling awkward.  

As re-entry moves forward, we may get a glimpse into the experience that those with autism experience in social situations.  How do I navigate the store?  How close should I stand to people?  When is it ok to shake hands?  When is the right time to go to a restaurant? Should I get in that elevator with other people?  The list will be long and it will be situational.  It will also need to be based on everyone’s risk tolerance.  

I do think we need to think about how this re-entry will look like. Creating a transition plan of sorts for all of us. Educators will need to think about how to acknowledge this experience we have all had and how it has affected each student differently.  Finding creative ways of having students express what they are feeling and what their perspectives are during this historic time will be valuable information in knowing how to support them during this transition back to a “new normal”.  Lesson planning may also want to include a piece of how an educational concept would be taught remotely in addition to the traditional face-to-face model.  Many districts are already looking at how to build in this new online learning environment into regular planning.  Educators will need to have better training on the variety of technological solutions that exist to support instruction, parents need to have better communication with the schools and educators to know what to expect and students will need to have more online technology built into their regular education.  

These tools can be valuable not only during a pandemic situation but also for other emergency situations that arise.  Perhaps it’s a big snow storm or other weather related event that keeps students out of school for a period of time.  Maybe a student or teacher will need to be absent longer than expected.  Online education can be a tool to keep some momentum and to keep people connected.  Now that we have had exposure to what this looks like when it is thrown at us we can certainly do better if we have had the opportunity to plan for what may be to come.