This is part of our Voices series with City of Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz, where he breaks down his thoughts about what’s going on in the City – in just one minute. ⏳

We are all growing a bit tired of hearing about “the new normal,” and one of the reasons is that the new normal doesn’t last very long! Our City has been phenomenal in cooperation, volunteerism, sacrifice, and flexibility as we’ve coped with this crisis. It says a great deal about who we are, and I am grateful!

I want to provide you with a challenge. We are coming back slowly and intentionally. However, we must accept the fact we will not wholly restore to how we once lived. We are going to continue to learn ways to live more safely, of which we are still unaware. More than 100,000 Americans will die of this virus. We cannot sluff it off as “we overreacted”; it has permanently changed many families and friends.

So, this is my challenge. Rather than anticipate, we will finally land on a new normal; it is far more realistic to expect to live with new alignments.

You have been asked and will continue to do things differently. Changing alignments will affect the way we work, how we socialize, how we eat, and how we play. These alignments will impact future health considerations for you and many others.

I encourage you to embrace the future even more purposefully than we have lived in the past. Make your time count, take precautions willingly, and align creatively towards a positive future that lives in even healthier ways. In the exciting days ahead, our attitudes are now more critical than ever.

I look forward to embracing these days together!