What Will The World Look Like After Coronavirus?

Marquis de Sade’s saying, “Destruction, hence, like creation, is one of Nature’s mandates.” bears a hefty truth prevalent in the post-pandemic scenario we’re currently in. An invisible enemy has managed to daze an entire planet, striking fear and panic amongst the bravest. As this microscopic villain continues to wreak havoc and we try to combat it, one question haunts us all: “What will the world be like after the coronavirus?” Let’s take a look at the possibilities.

Masks, Masks, and Masks

The coronavirus hit India in early 2020, and fast-forward a year-and-a-half, it’s tough to imagine going out without a mask. This dainty piece of apparel has proven to be our only shield against the notorious virus. Since healthcare professionals recommend masks even after getting vaccinated, the post-pandemic world doesn’t appear to be one without masks, like our old days of glory.

Newer Methods of Learning

While healthcare is the quintessential ‘COVID-affected’ sector, education is another area that bore the pandemic’s brunt. With most educational institutions closed, students have been confined to their phones and laptop screens. Lectures, classes, and even graduation ceremonies on Zoom or Skype calls have become the new norm.

While this means that most primary learners are missing out on jovial school life, they’re simultaneously honing their tech skills to learn better and more efficiently. Equal access to such tools remains a barrier, but we can be hopeful that the gap will be reduced soon enough. This impact also translates to students using technology to aid their homework and assignments, set goals, and evaluate progress, which was barely the norm before.

Remote education also puts forth the possibility of distant learners pursuing full-time courses in international universities. The trend is already catching on with various universities hosting full-time programs virtually, opening the door for distant learners to do the same in the near future.

Hybrid Working

Those currently in the workforce have already witnessed the not-so-paradigm shift in their jobs, from sitting in cubicles to collecting paychecks by working from home. The words “work from home” are thrown around plenty these days, and that’s yet another side effect of the coronavirus. Having said that, as we look forward to gradually resuming normal workplace scenarios, experts believe that it won’t be all the same.

Current trends indicate a “hybrid work scenario” in the post-coronavirus realm, where small offices will become the hub for occasional offline collaborations. Enhanced digital tools like better video calling, advanced features on platforms like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc. will facilitate remote working seamlessly and efficiently. Working from home will also emphasize balanced productivity, allowing employees to organize work hours to suit personal needs. This may lead to a favorable work-life balance, with flexibility becoming the ultimate job perk in the future.

Tele-health Becoming a Part-and-Parcel of Medicine

The global pandemic also accelerated the acceptance of tele-health amongst millions. The increased dependency on all things tech allowed patients and care-seekers to receive medical services virtually. This practice thrived especially within the mental health sector, where the offline-to-online shift extended providers’ reach to those hesitant to choose in-person treatment.

For decades, the recent surge in virtual appointment bookings, therapy sessions, doctor discussions, etc. has been overdue. Thus, it is not a surprise that tele-health services will not only remain once the pandemic fades but also advance and thrive amongst the masses.

Empty Storefronts and Booming E-Commerce

The pandemic has had one of its nastiest impacts on small offline businesses, with most individuals closing shop due to declined sales. However, this has gone hand-in-hand with the rise of online businesses, with behemoths like Flipkart, Amazon, Alibaba, etc., raking in swollen profits.

Coronavirus hit different retail areas differently. Online retailers weathered the storm bravely, while others, especially brick-and-mortar and big-box retailers, have witnessed dramatically declined sales. As a result, shopping malls, though gradually opening, barely possess the lively atmosphere they once used to. The post-pandemic world will likely not be too different from this as consumers increasingly accept online shopping at a record pace. After all, convenience matters most today, and digital purchases facilitate that pretty easily.

Summing It Up 

It’s still unpredictable what the post-coronavirus world will look like. One thing’s for sure; it won’t be the same as it was, and that’s something we must accept, no matter how hard it is to do so. The virus didn’t just rattle our world but reshaped it in ways we’re still grasping to understand. Gen-Z kids are already a part of a lifestyle where digital interactions triumph instead of experiencing the beauty of recess and interactive in-person classes.

However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg, and who knows, maybe this new change may lead to incredible innovations that advance our world. What we can hope for now, is to fight the virus together, take necessary precautions, and ensure survival.