During the past seven days, seemingly spontaneous protests have erupted demanding the end to government-ordered lockdowns that have shuttered most businesses and public spaces and all schools, ordered citizens to stay at home (e.g., “shelter-in-place“), and established strict guidelines for “social distancing“, hand washing, and mask wearing. Unemployment soars, economies are wrecked, and millions of people are sick or dying—all because of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)—also known as COVID-19—pandemic and drastic measures to slow its spread.

Citizens’ frustrations are understandable, particularly given that because economic and social isolation is working, overwhelmed emergency rooms and ICUs or the number of casualties are below worst projections. Accompanying self-titled “The New Gardener“, Neil Moralee has a message for those looking for a return to the old normal.