15 predictions for a post pandemic world

Pandemics have the potential of not only impacting but also reshaping our worlds. So, what will be the aftermath of the Novel Corona Virus on our collective and individual lives? While we hope to get out of this one alive, one things for sure, for every challenge there’s an opportunity. It’s simply a matter of perspective. How you view the proverbial half glass of water… Like you, I too am curious to see what will and will not pan out in the post pandemic world. Ranging from economics to politics to business here are 15 predictions that I have attempted to make…

1.??????Masks | There are a lot of COVID 19 babies (Babies born in COVID times) and they will not know a mask less world. For us, the struggle is real. There’s no way you can escape the mask but, you also don’t feel comfortable in one. You could dress it up and make it more fashionable, match it to your dress, doesn’t make the wearing of it any easier, honestly. The COVID generation though, will be used to wearing a mask from day 0. Won’t know a day without it.

2.??????Mental health issues | From germophobia to obsessive compulsive disorder, (think multiple hand washing till you render the skin raw), issues with mental health will hit a new high. Offerings will include, anxiety (social and other varieties), paranoia, loneliness, (induced by endless lockdowns) and isolation, thanks to the recommended recovery mode for COVID 19.

3.??????Car to human ratios | I belong to a three-car household. The car to human ratio in my household is 1:1. This ratio will change post the pandemic, because where are you going really? You have already explored the wonders of home and life at home. Why spend on an expensive luxurious asset such as a car, plus related expenses like insurance, maintenance, and what about parking spaces? Parking lots, valet car drivers, all will perhaps not be needed post the pandemic. The demand for driverless cars might also increase.

4.??????Money | Demonetization gave us a dry run with virtual money. Post the pandemic though, cash and coins might be a thing of the past mostly because peoples transaction habits would get reinforced online. Also, paper money and metal coins are great carriers for the virus.

5.??????Medical research funding, as part of the political manifesto | In a post pandemic world, there’s a possibility that political parties that prioritize medical research and innovation will be voted into power. Parties that can allocate significant budget and other resources into such initiatives as well as invest in healthcare and related industries will be the one tasked with running countries.

6.??????Office? What’s that | With remote working benefiting employees and employers alike, brick and mortar offices might be a thing of the past. Pre pandemic, I had an established routine consisting of getting ready for work, commuting, going into an office space, working from there and then commuting back. Post pandemic, I literally wake up 30 minutes before log in time, work in my pajamas all day and the longest commute I have, is from my bed to my work area. In the future, knowledge workers will collaborate physically only if absolutely required. And for that a co working space might do. ?

7.??????Stores and restaurants| Online retailers like Amazon were active in the worst points of the pandemic. Their diversification into kitchen pantry essentials and even food delivery really kept things going. It converted the purchasing habits of even the staunchest customers. Lots of physical retailers shut down for they simply went bankrupt. A physical store brings with it overheads, such as electricity and maintenance, an online store though not so much…in the future we might be seeing fewer brick and mortar stores if at all.

8.??????Social Distancing | As if being in a committed relationship with your phone wasn’t enough to take you away from face to face human interactions, social distancing sort of sealed the deal. Children and teenagers will believe that this is normal. Closing the 6 feet gap between individuals will take a lot of unlearning and relearning.

9.??????Family bonding | The pandemic has had varying impacts on families. Either it has resulted in bringing them closer, expanding them, or breaking them up. Due to the pandemic a lot of knowledge workers returned to their homes and families. With no where to go and really no escape from each other it made them, understand each other better, deepened the bond and brought them closer. In some cases, resulting in expanded families and a rise in COVID babies. The other side of the coin though has also been a rise in divorce rates, domestic violence and depression all due to there simply not being any outlet, no mental stimulation and the feeling of being caged up the whole day at home.

10.??The advent of old hobbies | Remember all those hobbies you had, but never had time to pursue? Or hidden talents that you just didn’t know that you had. The pandemic has given the opportunity for all those to make a comeback. I personally tried my hand at a host of them ranging from cooking to writing to painting to even making a quilt! Some of them stuck and are part of a set routine. The others have not really worked their way into my routine yet. But with the second wave there’s still time. Interestingly, this writing opportunity also came to me during the pandemic. Outside of it, I am not so sure if I would have even considered it. With an improvement in work life balance, people have more time to pursue their hobbies and interests, some of them are even turning them into entrepreneurial ventures. ?

11.??Attire | Formal wear or “going out clothes” were very quickly traded in for more comfortable lounge wear/ sleep wear. Think shorts, pajamas, t-shirts or even a kaftan. With remote work quickly becoming the new norm, more and more people don’t bother with dressing for work unless there’s a video call. Pile upon pile of clothes might just gather dust and end up as moth fodder. Maybe lounge and sleep wear will be the next fashion trend. Bye bye pant suits, hello pajamas!

12.??Self-development | With more time being spent at home and with remote working becoming the new norm the focus of individuals and organizations has been on self-development. Redundancy caused due to the pandemic caused a lot of people to pursue higher education. Even organizations place a high emphasis on learning. The result, higher intellect in the society and an unmasking of individual potential, ultimately leading to self-sufficiency.

13.??Crime | Pre COVID we were already seeing more and more crimes transitioning from the physical space into cyber space. Post pandemic we will see more and more online frauds. Romance scammers will make a killing thanks to all the lonely, isolated COVID hearts out there. Making promises to meet post pandemic and extracting cash from their victims in the interim. The online scam world would run like a professional organization.

14.??Do unto others, what you want them to do unto you | As the world heals itself, we see a lot of empathy and altruism in the world around us. This manifests as acts of charity and much kindness. We see a line of COVID warriors who work tirelessly, almost around the clock to help strangers in dire strait. And who hasn’t heard a story of people selling their personal assets to help the needy. We seem to be ready to lend a hand because we realize that tomorrow it could be us...

15.??Medical practice | Thanks to the pandemic we learnt that home sample collection for diagnostic tests as well as online, video consultations are a possibility. Gone are the days where you waited your turn rather endlessly and impatiently in a doctor’s office. These facilities existed even before the pandemic but there are simply more takers now.

When I sit back and take stock, I think that this time round mankind has finally learnt an important lesson as far as pandemics go…The fact that they threaten national security and that the more you know about them the better. The United States of America (USA), always looked upon as a shining beacon of economic hope and promise, failed to predict and prevent the deaths of millions. In comparison, nations such as South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore answered the call well and way ahead of time. Before the next pandemic strikes, (if at all), the USA will be well prepared and will probably monopolize pandemic related healthcare.

I guess that makes it 16 post pandemic predictions?!