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Last week, I realized I’d reached a key post-pandemic milestone: I was down to my last roll of cheap toilet paper, which I’d purchased in bulk online in an illogical fit of desperation in March 2020.
Like so many others, I invested a lot in crappy toilet paper in the early days of the pandemic. I think I was trying to regain a sense of security in the face of an uncontrollable, very unsettling, and increasingly terrifying situation. For some strange reason that I can’t quite explain, that mountain of single-ply toilet paper sitting next to large bottles of assorted hand sanitizer was oddly comforting.
As my ICU nurse husband headed out to the COVID-19 unit each day, I felt helpless. Realistically, other than enforcing isolation, there wasn’t much I could do to protect my family from a deadly virus, but by God, our nether regions would be rash-free! That was certainly better than nothing.
The pandemic raged on, but in short order, we had access to soft, two-ply toilet paper. That batch of one-ply very quickly fell into disfavor and was relegated to our rarely used basement bathroom. Over the years, it’s been gradually used up, and now, in the middle of 2024, we’re finally down to our last roll.
Now, I realize it’s unusual to write about toilet paper in a professional context, but this occasion seems to call for it. This final, scratchy roll represented a strange milestone for me.
When I realized there was only one left, it made me pause and reflect on the profound changes we’ve experienced over the past four years. This humble roll is more than just paper; it’s a fitting symbol of the end of a tumultuous era that redefined our world and perspectives, undeniably altering our lives in the process.
A lot changed because of the pandemic. Some of the significant shifts we’ve witnessed include:
- Remote work became the norm. We realized it wasn’t simply possible, it was actually profitable, but whether it will be a permanent change remains to be seen.
- Outdoor dining flourished, with no end in sight.
- Technology and innovation have taken center stage, driven by generative AI and post-pandemic receptiveness to technology, even in the legal profession.
- There was an e-commerce boom and a newfound appreciation of the convenience of home delivery.
- Virtual meetings and events have become standard practice.
- Online education and webinars have expanded access to learning.
- Family and work-life balance have taken on new importance.
- There has been a greater emphasis on mental health and well-being.
This last roll is a reminder of resilience, adaptability, and the unforeseen ways our lives can evolve. The pandemic forced us to rethink our priorities, reshape our interactions, and reimagine our future. As we dispose of the last remnants of our pandemic stockpiles, there’s no better time than now to reflect on the lessons learned.
The pandemic reminded us of the importance of community, the value of essential workers, and the need for robust public health systems and online access to justice. It highlighted inequalities in our society and the urgent need to address them.
Moving forward, we have the opportunity to build on these insights. We can create more flexible and inclusive workplaces, strengthen our healthcare systems, and prioritize mental health and work-life balance in the legal profession and beyond. We can continue to harness technology to connect and innovate in the delivery of legal services while also remembering the irreplaceable value of human interaction.
As we bid farewell to this symbolic last roll of pandemic toilet paper, let’s carry forward the positive changes and lessons learned during this tumultuous era, and approach the future with renewed resilience, empathy, and a commitment to building a more equitable and just world. Here’s to the end of an era and the beginning of new, exciting opportunities — may we face them with the same determination and forward-thinking adaptability that got us through the challenges of the past four years!
Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney and Director of Business and Community Relations at MyCase, web-based law practice management software. She’s been blogging since 2005, has written a weekly column for the Daily Record since 2007, is the author of Cloud Computing for Lawyers, co-authors Social Media for Lawyers: the Next Frontier, and co-authors Criminal Law in New York. She’s easily distracted by the potential of bright and shiny tech gadgets, along with good food and wine. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikiblack and she can be reached at niki.black@mycase.com.
