Most of us have realised that there is now a new normal in place. What was considered normal will look very different in the post-COVID-19 world. Quite simply there is no going back to the way things were. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing us to rethink our lifestyles and the way we've been used to doing things. We are now reimagining social interaction, public space, workplaces, the functioning of educational institutions for the #PostCOVID world.
Long after the immediacy of the threat of infection has passed, we are all still going to be very wary of travel. Being in enclosed spaces with a bunch of strangers in a train or plane or bus? This is going to alarm us for a long time to come. Many of us are going to find joy in virtual travel.
Think empty stadiums. Think players wearing masks or other protective gear. Think ‘live match’ as a term restricted to watching on TV or streaming on personal devices. Packed stadiums full of thousands upon thousands of fans --- it seems a distant dream right now.
What was considered normal space-requirement for each individual worker will change. Desk sizes will change; as will the space considered normal between work stations. Partitions, sanitsers on each desk and probably some protective equipment may become par for the course.
People will have to become tech-savvy, techies will have to upscale their skills or learn new ones. Innovation and Emotional Intelligence will be recognised as more valuable and desirable in the #PostCOVID world.
Digital conferencing will likely become the rule rather than the exception. Travelling for work will reduce and we will question nonessential travel of all sorts.
As we speak, there are restaurants downing shutters/ going out of business because there is no hope that people will return to eating out as they used to. At least, not just yet. Some restaurateurs are changing layouts, inserting dividers, offering online ordering options. Many are offering delivery options where they wouldn’t have considered this earlier.
Given that eating out will change fundamentally, perhaps more of us will want to cook and eat at home. Maybe we will see new innovations and tools to facilitate this.
Online shopping will only increase as more people are reluctant to get out and shop in crowded stores. The attraction of shopping from the comfort of home without minding store timings will likely reveal itself to more people.
We have seen religious gatherings of all denominations become super-spreaders in this pandemic. Religious gatherings came to be seen as dispensable during the lockdown. We have all come to appreciate scientific studies and data based thinking; perhaps blind faith will take a backseat to more progressive thinking? I can but hope.
The way that pollution levels have fallen so drastically due to lockdown implementation has successfully debunked the claims of climate change deniers. Perhaps more of us will be willing to make lifestyle changes that help us lead more sustainable, eco-friendly lives.
We are realising how social distancing and the necessity of distancing from friends and loved ones has impacted us and our wellbeing. In times to come, mental health will take centre stage for more of us in the #PostCOVID world.
If there is one thing that has become glaringly obvious during this pandemic, it is that the weakest sections of society have suffered the most. We have all become aware of our privilege which has permitted us to survive this crisis more or less unscathed. So even as we strive for physical distancing, we will, hopefully, be striving for #SocialCohesion and greater equality of opportunity in the #PostCOVID world.
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