Zoom sing alongs are so 2020

The coronavirus pandemic and Donald Trump’s presidency brought out two very extreme and opposite reactions in Americans. Some citizens became filled with hatred and intolerance. This escalated until a mob of right wing fanatics were planning and plotting and carried out the storming of the White House. There minds were obsessed with overthrowing the government. Others in this nation had love and unity on the brain and wanted us all to come together as one. The slogan of the day became “ We’re all in this together.”

The .kumbaya moments increased as television commercials, news reporters and talk show hosst emphasized various coping skills to get through this dark time in history and then came Zoom. Everywhere time I turned on the television, or logged in to Facebook groups of people were singing and dancing and hamming it up for the camera. Initially I did not care for Zoom because my first experience was two college English classes where every Monday and Wednesday last spring I was forced to interact with strangers. From 8:10 until 10:30 and again from 11:00 AM until 12:15 I was staring into the faces of 8 and then 13 people I did not know.

In a regular classroom you see the backs of your fellow classmates but during class everyone was eyeball to eyeball. If this was not enough on my 62 year old brain, COVID-19 struck and the singing began. At first I was motivated by the various Americans who desired to inspire others through song. As time went on, however, the newness wore off and I began to become irritated. . It got so bad that I could not even watch the news on CNN without yet another Zoom sing along being shown.

I found myself becoming annoyed at the constant barrage of the smiling, singing faces and I grew tired of hearing the phrase “ Were all in this together” before and after some of the performances. What began as a nice gesture of comrardary ended up lasting long past the time it should have ended. There was a season this was needed and there was a purpose which it came into being but now we should have all moved on. It’s a new season, a new day, a new month and a new year. We now have a different President and Vice President and there has been a breath of fresh air breathed into us all.

Zoom Karaoke carried over into the holidays with everyone belting out a Christmas tune, but now it is getting old . Those of us who have survived COVID thus far have been pumped and primed to be strong, hang in there and become our brother’s keepers. The vitriol from the Trump administration is gone and we now have a president who cares. Let’s turn the page and finish the chapter of group Zoom singing and close that book. It served its purpose and we all should be stronger and wiser for our journey. 2021 should be less singing and more action so leave Zoom Karaoke behind. Let’s look to the future and build new memories.

I recall when USA had a Psych marathon and the cast were all shown on Zoom during commercials. This was a one time thing and it was great to see them all together again and thankfully they did not sing. In my opinion Zoom singing has lost its appeal as everyone and their dog has tried it. CNN, Ellen Degenerus and local evening news showcased so many singers that it really overwhelmed me. Children, teens, young aduts, nurses, doctors, frontline worker, and grandparents all gave their voices and it was appreciated. Thank you to all who partook in this activity but the method has now run its course and worn out its welcome. Group Karaoke on Zoom is so 2020 so let’s leave it there, please and thank you.