I think everyone can agree that 2020 was a very out-of-the-ordinary year. After all, we had a global pandemic, economic upheaval, and political strife affecting many countries. But while we tend to pay attention to the negative impacts these events have on our lives, we should also appreciate the positive changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced upon us.
1. Awareness of hygiene
While we’ve come a long ways since medieval times, before bacteria and viruses were discovered, many public places were still kind of gross pre-COVID. However, in post-COVID times everyone will be much more aware of hygiene and the importance of keeping things sanitized.
2. Independence
For most of 2020, we were supposed to be responsible citizens and minimize contact with other people. While isolating ourselves caused problems with boredom and depression, it also provided an opportunity for people to cut out unimportant activities, cut costs, and become more self-sufficient.
3. Environmental reset
Especially in the early days when the coronavirus was new and scary, most people stayed locked down in their homes. People stopped commuting to work and moving about in the world. With most of the cars off the roads, there was a noticeable difference in air quality in the cities. In a way, the pandemic created a global environmental reset, at least for a few months.
4. Economic reset.
In difficult times, the strong companies thrive and the weak ones perish. Many of the most successful companies arose out of hard times.
5. Rediscovering relationships
When we are locked down or working from home, we are forced to spend more time with our roommates and family members. For some, this can cause a lot of conflict. But for others, it presents a golden opportunity to build relationships and family life. In my own family, the pandemic has helped my three kids learn to get along better with each other. It has also caused me to reach out to more people over the internet. I’m sure others have had a similar experience.
6. Push for telecommuting
In order to stay alive, many businesses have shifted to business models that allow their employees to telecommute most of the time. Many of these businesses have been thriving even though most of their employees work at home 100% of the time. These businesses will likely continue to allow employees to telework even after the pandemic passes.
7. Exploring passions
People have more free time during the pandemic, allowing them to explore their passions and rekindle old hobbies. Interest in videogames, sports cards, and home workout equipment are surging due to people having more time away from work.
8. More automation and robotics
We could see an increased interest in automation and robotics, as companies look into ways to eliminate employees like fast food workers (automation) or delivery drivers (drones & self-driving). When processes are automated and robots are deployed, less human-to-human interaction is needed.
9. Memento mori
More than half a million people have died from COVID-19 in the United States alone. The pandemic has increased our awareness of mortality and death. Hopefully as a result, we will live our lives more intentionally and take less for granted.
10. We’ll be ready for the next pandemic
Taiwan is often praised for its handling of COVID-19. But it was no accident that they handled coronavirus better than most of the world. After all, this is the second time coronavirus has threatened Taiwan. The first time was SARS, which was also a coronavirus, and a much deadlier one at that. COVID-19 has made the world more resilient and better equipped for the next pandemic.
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