The Positive side of Corona virus

So here we are a little over a year since the corona virus hit, and our lives have changed immeasurably in that time. Not to play down the thousands of people who have lost loved ones but what can we positively learn.

We have all gotten used to Workouts on line which some of us love and others just can’t get to grips with.

We have been separated from families and friends, but have found technology invaluable to facetime and zoom them – even though it never replaces a hug!

Of course, there are concerns over people’s mental health and the state of our economy but what positives can we learn and take forward with us as the vaccine is rolled out and we look forward to the future.

The joy of extra family time

Never before, in modern history, have so many parents spent so much time in one place with their children. Whilst this is not always a good thing, for some families, the coronavirus lockdown has provided a unique opportunity to reconnect, create memories and evaluate priorities. New babies and young children whose parents are now working from home, or have been furloughed, will benefit enormously from having both parents available during so many months of their formative years.

The simple pleasures in life are being rediscovered too - a family walk has become a precious time of the day that everyone looks forward to, something many families may never have enjoyed before.

Families are rediscovering board games, doing puzzles together and making fun TikTok videos. These are all things that would not have happened in the usual hustle and bustle of pre-lockdown life.

Doing nothing - and not feeling bad about it

We all used to complain about being too busy - there just aren't enough hours in the day, we'd moan. It looked like we'd have the opposite problem - far too many hours to fill - but we've filled those hours fairly easily. This is because that constant pressure people used to feel to do things - to achieve, to compete, to turn up to everything, to have a full diary - has been removed.

Now by contrast, it has become your patriotic duty to do nothing.

Some days have just been spent pottering about, doing nothing. Why should we have to be doing something all the time, anyway? What's wrong with idling?

Avoiding the daily commute by WFH

For millions of people the prospect of working from home - or WFH as it's widely abbreviated to - wasn't even an option before coronavirus struck.

The speed with which these changes have come about may be unique, but the changes themselves were destined to happen at some stage. Let us be honest, millions of people have been asking for remote working for years.

The last few months have been a huge shift. Despite some jobs having the ability to work anywhere, People are social and lots enjoy being in an office/work environment, thriving on the social aspects of being with my team or meeting with clients in the city.

But an enforced period of working from home has also revealed a number of unexpected benefits.

Some people say they are actually working harder. Some say they are more productive as they are taking more breaks from their screens. Many are getting more exercise outside, which in turn is improving their overall health.

Breathing in cleaner air

The environmental benefits of planes being grounded, cars parked and factories shut down is unquestionable. Across the world, carbon emissions have fallen and air quality has risen.

Scientists have warned of increased risk of more pandemics from the destruction of nature, rampant deforestation, intensive farming, mining and global air travel, as well as exploitation of wild animals. Together they have created a 'perfect storm' for the spill over of diseases from wildlife to people.

But lockdowns around the world have pressed pause on much environmental destruction. It would be wrong to celebrate these things that have come as tens of thousands have died from the pandemic and millions face huge hardship.

But right now, decisions are being made that will determine whether we use what we have learnt to create a safer world in which we can live better lives.

The response to the pandemic has given us a glimpse that another world is possible.

Getting to know your neighbours

For many, clapping in their streets on a Thursday evening has become the social event of the week. the lockdown has unintentionally created a new sense of community

Usually, our daily lives are so disconnected and we all have our own little rituals, going out shopping, going out eating, meeting friends who live somewhere else.

There's normally none of this talking over the garden fence or visiting the neighbours down the road or two blocks over. The lockdown has brought people together. It's formed new friendships.

Many of us have had little contact with our neighbours, maybe once or twice to collect packages. But since the lockdown happened, people go out. they clapped for carers on a Thursday. They stand out and have a chat and just talk about stuff.

Neighbours are texting each other now, to make sure they get out of the house, people go out into their gardens for coffee every day and talk with neighbours over the fence.

The situation has forced people together and as they get to know their neighbours, I hope they'll start lasting friendships.

Entire Lifestyle Changes to Practice Better Hygiene

Being hygienic is no longer just a good habit, but the very skill you need for survival.

Times have changed, and people are now aware of how important it is to keep yourself clean. As social animals, the very engineering of humans is the ability to emote & connect with fellow beings. That’s not going to change, and that’s something we cannot change. But these recent times have made us all aware of how to do that more hygienically.

From shaking hands to hugging, we all have had a lifestyle change for the good. We’re going to remember to cover your mouths when we cough, to sanitize our hands after touching anything else because we know what can happen if we don’t.

Innovations to Stay Connected & Help Each Other

This quarantine welcomes ideas, hacks, tips, & tricks to beat the lockdowns and help our communities. Companies across the world have started thinking about coming up with product and service ranges that enable you to be as connected as you are with your teams and also your loved ones. Finding creative ways to not let the boredom of four walls get you is the newest trend and rightfully so!

This has opened a new way of thought. Organizations cannot just stop functioning altogether, and each is coming up with the ultimate ideas to attract & sustain both their customers and employees.

Education becomes digitized & affordable

The pandemic had posed a threat to the whole education system. Schools, universities, and colleges have been shut down. Yes, it is saddening but have you looked at the brighter side yet? Educational Institutions have found a way to overcome this immensely challenging series of events. Classes have begun again, thanks to technology.

Online classes have become the new norm for educational institutions and it has come with a few benefits too. Institutions can now save on the infrastructural costs and as a result, the students needn’t bear the brunt of the costs, making it more affordable. Moreover, parents will get first-hand knowledge about how classes are taught and can directly understand how their child perceives concepts. As the online education system grows, we can expect an increase in the reach and accessibility of education within every section of the society.