Thank You, Coronavirus

Before you, we did not realize common-sense hygiene was important.
Before you, we took sterilization of oft-used public items for granted.
Before you, we didn't know where some countries were.
Before you, we didn't realize one-third of our country was painfully dumb.
Before you, we didn't realize others don't wash their hands when they are dirty.
Before you, we didn't realize how many people can actually make themselves sick.
Before you, we'd forgotten the Olympics were this summer.
Before you, we'd assumed the most dangerous things were in the "other" Washington.
Before you, lime jokes were lost on people who don't know what scurvy is.
Before you, hypochondriacs had to bear the brunt of our scorn.
Before you, those surgical masks looked like an odd fashion accessory.
Before you, kids' snot was simply kids' snot.
Before you, we treated common decency, personal space, manners, and etiquette much like we respect others' privacy, religious freedoms, sexual orientation, and right to a free and just life.
Before you, we assumed bad things were meant for the other guy.
Before you, we remembered the last time something like this happened.
When you're gone, we'll go back to who we were.
When you're gone, you'll be forgotten.
When you're gone, we'll anxiously await the next outbreak.
When you're gone, we'll say it wasn't that serious and ignore the lack of accountability to fight you.
When you're gone, there will be no before you.