This time next century, there’ll be documentaries and discussions commemorating the centenary of COVID-19.

Our great-great grandchildren will look back on the archives of 2020. That is, of course, if the world hasn’t burned up by then.

2020: the year from hell. But it’s nearly over, and with the vaccine, we can hopefully look forward to getting our lives slowly back on track. For others who have lost loved ones or their jobs, that will be understandably difficult. So it feels a little gauche to be looking forward to enjoying life’s little pleasures once more.

Having ditched my car back in May, I won’t feel so guilty jumping on a plane since I drive so little

However, I’ve missed travel. I’m looking forward to the earliest and safest opportunity to fly to Europe and maybe travel by train to catch up with friends living on the continent. I do get a little lonesome when I see the Brussels backdrop behind Tony Connelly. I love Brussels and have a lot of good friends there. Having ditched my car back in May, I won’t feel so guilty jumping on a plane since I drive so little.

Getting back to watching live sport will be another milestone to look forward to in 2021. It’s had its critics, but the GAA Championship has been a real tonic for so many people over the past few weeks. It gave us something to take our minds off the doom and gloom. The same goes for the Premier League, from when it resumed earlier in the summer.

Going to the pub over the past few months has been a bit like Lannigan’s Ball; stepping in and stepping out of various lockdowns. It hasn’t been the same and any time I’ve been out with friends for a pint and a bite to eat, there has been a nervous edginess. COVID-19 restrictions and hospitality simply do not complement each other, and as such, pub and restaurant visits have been rather uncomfortable.

I know of many people who have not been able to see or visit close relations since St Patrick’s Day

But getting back to the pub is, understandably, the least of many people’s worries when being able to visit family has been restricted and made impossible for so many since March.

Being able to visit a loved one in nursing home care or an elderly relation living in another part of the country has been disrupted and I know of many people who have not been able to see or visit close relations since St Patrick’s Day. That has been the biggest drawback of COVID-19.

The other less-publicised effects of it all include the impact on young people. With two teenagers, including one who was due to sit the Leaving Cert, my heart goes out to them for how their lives have been turned upside-down. Of course, there are people worse off, but it doesn’t mean we cannot also share our sympathy with younger people who have been denied so much freedom, education and social interaction.

Yes, things will get back to normal, but they’ll never be able to repeat events such as graduations or debs balls when we do get back to normal. Maybe it’s a first-world problem, but with pubs and restaurants closed, they also lost out financially; working as part time staff earning a few bob.

They are human and the responsibility which they have had to shoulder as legislators should be recognised

Finally, it may not be a popular opinion, but when you think about it, politicians have had a very stressful year; making big decisions on the hoof which affected all our lives. They are human and the responsibility which they have had to shoulder as legislators should be recognised, too, besides the criticism we hurl at them. Anyway, goodbye 2020 and good riddance.

New year, new me?

So what is your new-year resolution? Guaranteed that it is the complete opposite to the pious one you had last year, and the year before! Am I right?