As we enter a third year of living with COVID, the daunting and frightening experience has provided lessons, revelations and reminders to North Carolinians. We’ve learned about dangers and divisions. We’ve learned about the power — and limits — of science. We’ve learned how much of what was ingrained in our daily lives daily life can be suspended and may never fully resume.

We’ve also learned some things we already should been known — or been reminded of things we’ve forgotten.

Feel free to send your own entries to forum@newsobserver.com with the subject line COVID lessons. What have we all learned? Here’s a start:

That teaching is hard and even harder when you try to do it by yourself at home.

That going to school is good for kids’ mental health.

That school board meetings can bring out angry people who don’t even have kids in the schools.

That doctors, nurses and health care workers are extraordinarily dedicated to their work, even at a risk to their own lives

That a surprisingly high number of police officers don’t think getting vaccinated is part of protecting and serving the public.

That the internet helped the economy and households survive shutdowns.

That tech companies thrived during the pandemic.

That yes, even a virus can become political.

That a good mask can limit the spread of COVID 19 – but you have to cover your nose.

That handshakes and smiling faces are something we took for granted.

That your breath might not be as minty fresh as you thought (thanks, masks).

That school bus drivers are woefully underpaid.

That many nursing homes are understaffed, dangerous and profitable.

That nursing home workers are woefully underpaid.

That child care workers are woefully underpaid, but child care is prohibitively expensive for many people.

That only a small fraction of jobless workers qualify for NC unemployment benefits.

That it’s not only possible, but most office workers can thrive working from home.

That millions of hours spent commuting may have been a waste.

That you can wear a mask into a bank.

That truck drivers, bus drivers and delivery drivers are essential.

That essential workers are not paid like they are essential.

That the minimum wage is still $7.25.

That shootings increased during the pandemic.

That other crimes decreased.

That for better or worse, a pandemic doesn’t stop mass protests.

That airline mask requirements can cause conflicts at 30,000 feet.

That NC tax revenue increased during the pandemic, leaving the state with a surplus.

That Republicans won’t expand Medicaid even during a pandemic.

That even healthy young people can die from COVID-19.

That bleach does not cure COVID-19 and horse deworming drugs don’t either.

That people who won’t get vaccinated will if it’s mandatory for work, school and entertainment.

That a lot of people we thought we knew actually believe wacky things.

That the virus mutates.

That the novel coronavirus probably will likely be with us forever, just like the seasonal flu.

That omicron is pronounced AH-muh-kraan.

That vaccines are miracles.

That vaccines need boosters.

That “I’M VAXXED” is the new social ice-breaker.

That family gatherings have changed. “Not vaccinated? You’re not invited.”

That avoiding and enduring infection is exhausting.

That hospitalizations, more than cases, are the key measure of COVID.

That many died who could have been saved.

That a common threat did not unite Americans.

That there is still time to learn that Americans can do more when they join together.