Is It Normal Yet?

Digitized faux-cheers went silent and choruses of human roars reclaimed their sonic dominance at D.C. stadiums this June as COVID-19 capacity restrictions phased out. This week, WTOP Sports Director George Wallace talks about how the country first learned of the pandemic's severity through sports and what the return of packed stadiums means for local teams and fanbases.

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The pandemic shifted priorities and changed people’s relationship with space. People fled the dense populations of apartment-living and wanted office-space at home. In turn, the house prices soared, apartment costs dropped and office spaces were left empty. With nearly 70% of the D.C.-area population vaccinated, will these pandemic trends in real estate hold? What impact did all these changes have on renters, home buyers and property managers? Tune in with WTOP business reporter Jeff Clabaugh who walks us through the still-shifting real estate landscape.

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Symptoms of the coronavirus are well known: loss of smell, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing, high temperature and general fatigue. But the pandemic also caused other, subtler, more indirect symptoms. For example, rates of depression, anxiety and alcohol use all rose during the pandemic. How doctors interact and treat their patients also changed. This week, WTOP reporter Kristi King talks about how the pandemic affected people’s health and what changes to the healthcare system are here to stay.

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High school graduates are returning to stages and tossing mortarboards again, as the D.C.-area’s eased health restrictions allow for in-person commencement ceremonies. But the effects of the pandemic live on with the Class of 2021 receiving their diplomas socially distanced and outside — to the raucous cheers of cicadas. This week, WTOP reporter Kate Ryan tells us what commencement ceremonies look like for the Class of 2021 and how the pandemic impacted local graduates.

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Traffic jargon such as bottleneck, bumper-to-bumper and gridlock went mum during the pandemic as people stayed home and streets emptied. But those open roads are no more, as traffic rages back in the D.C.-area. This week, WTOP traffic reporter Dave Dildine talks about how the pandemic impacted D.C. traffic, what unique trends emerged and what drivers should expect as they return to the roads.

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The pandemic upended local court systems across the D.C.-region, which had to scramble and find a way to hold trials while also maintaining COVID-19 health restrictions. This week, WTOP investigative reporter Megan Cloherty walks us through the court’s pandemic woes and the long-standing effects these stoppages and delays will have on our legal system.

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Our area saw a surge in homicides and carjackings during the pandemic. COVID-19 forced changes on human behavior across the spectrum — including illicit misconduct. This week, WTOP investigative reporter Megan Cloherty joined us to discuss the criminal trends that cropped up across the DC region. We also talked about policing in a tumultuous year of new coronavirus procedures.

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A once-in-a-century pandemic and a historic wave of protests dominated the headlines this past year. But how did the two affect each other? This week we talk to WTOP reporter Alejandro Alvarez who has traveled the world photographing social movements over the past five years. He tells us what he saw on the ground during the Black Lives Matters protests this summer as well as how the coronavirus changed the way ideology spreads and how social movements ignite.

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People often turn to faith during times of suffering, hardship and uncertainty — inescapable realities during the coronavirus pandemic. But with health restrictions barring large gatherings, how did local religious groups serve their congregations? What did religious life look like this past year? This week we talk to reporter and anchor Kyle Cooper, who also works as a youth pastor. Tune is as we look at how his church reacted to the unique challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and discuss broader religious trends in the D.C. region.

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With local theaters and venues shuttered during the pandemic, artists went virtual and drive-in theaters blossomed. But were local artists able to survive this past year? Are any D.C.-area venues closed for good? And will movie theaters make a come-back or will streaming reign supreme? Tune in and find out with WTOP entertainment editor Jason Fraley as he sheds light on where local entertainment stands.

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