Re: Life will most likely never return to normal, or at least in a very long time
This is an epidemic of ignorance. Since people like to remain in ignorance, the epidemic will last a long time... maybe as long as the earth lasts.
This is the reason why I strongly support Elon Musk in his big plan to create a colony of life on Mars because "the Earth is no longer a safe place" 
But realize some things about Mars.
1. Mars is so hostile that it is many times worse than any epidemic of ignorance among the people.
2. Even if Mars were a success, it would only be successful for a few people. The 7+ billion on Earth would still be here.
3. Everyone who hasn't given up hope, wants an utopia of some sort, even if it isn't near the surface of his thinking. Mars isn't the utopia. The utopia is much closer. Every time a person dies, he is headed either toward or away from utopia. Seek God, not Musk/Mars for your utopia, or you will never find it.