April 30th, 2021

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A slow return to normal (photo: Pixabay)

This week we readopted the habit of eating out. This time, though, the experience includes distancing, masks, reservations and Corona passes. Nevertheless, it is a giant step back to normal, which for months was a no-go.

Back to the new normal
Big shopping centres are back in business again, and vaccinations have relieved the elderly from fear and isolation. Flock immunity is in sight. Some hysteria concerning certain vaccination types aside, the coming summer will see the beaches and museums full again.

The pandemic is not over worldwide, but it will be under control and we will sit down and consider what we learned.

Distance learning in the public schools and further up the education ladder is here to stay. Businesses and institutions are reconsidering their need for office space, as IT has made it possible to perform despite the lockdown.

Business travel has been reduced to almost zero and will remain considerably reduced in the future, saving both time and money.

Proof politicians like sport
Politicians are daring to demand even more liberal opening measures, thus opposing a government that has reigned as an absolute powerhouse since March last year. 

However, the country is not recovering – it was in good shape all the time. The economy was, and is, healthy. Unemployment is exceptionally low. So happily, we are marching on.

The political picture is still blurred. Harsh measures against foreigners are again a popular sport. Hardliners are tightening the conditions for obtaining Danish citizenship, although the regulations involving masks and handshakes will probably not be enforced for a while! 

The repatriation of Syrian refugees who have been here for several years and are fully integrated should be reconsidered. They are assets, not liabilities. Stronger measures at petty crimes are also targeted against immigrants and their descendants.

And talking of sport, just like with professional football the politician transfer window has been wide open.

Venstre has lost former PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen to what may be his own new party. Britt Bager has joined Konservative, joining the earlier move by Marcus Knuth, meaning that the party  is now bigger than Venstre in the polls.

Always the green agenda
The #MeToo movement has taken its toll and seems to be fading away, albeit with a mayor and party leader in its wake. Now we are chasing dirty jokes and foul language – not a big loss as the witchhunt element has calmed down.

The main political issues post-Corona are infrastructure. The government has just proposed an ambitious plan for the next decade in tune with its green agenda, which nobody ever stops advocating these days. Infrastructure always costs more than expected, but always pays off in the end – with the odd public transport exception.

The world seems to be in good shape. However, we need to address the migration problem at large. We cannot, given our strong welfare foundation, morally defend the way we ignore desperate people who are prepared to risk everything for a better life.