What will you take away from the Coronavirus episode?

What will your world look like as we emerge from the Great Lockdown of 2020?

By Neil M. McLean

In times of crisis there is usually a benefit of some kind or a silver lining as some may call it.

What have you learned from this whole Coronavirus period?

For starters it has been a gigantic pain in the butt that has derailed millions of us from the normality of life if there is such a thing!

However, on the positive side, it has confirmed for me something I have known since 1998.

That it is possible and practical to work entirely from home…or base yourself from there until the need arises to go out for an appointment, research, meetings or whatever the case may be.

For millions of us, one of the biggest challenges just getting through life is the daily commute…by private car, public transport, cycling or walking. It can be a real treadmill.

For years, I commuted from the Gold Coast to Brisbane on the dreaded M1. One of the most clogged stretches in the country. One hour and ten minutes there and the same on the home journey on a ‘good’ run. (Add a swag of extra time if there was an accident or roadworks!)

No doubt many of you will have your own stories about your daily commute.

If you live in a major city in Australia, like Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, (OK…we know there are dozens of places outside of the majors that are a drag too) the daily commute can be not only time consuming and frustrating, but also a huge waste when you add up all the hours you ‘spend’ on it each week.

Other locations like the daily run into London, New York, LA and the rest of those mega cities can be several hours in and several back home again.

The question is, do we really need to travel to the office (or whatever your location may look like) to do our daily work?

Can we in fact do it remotely…even a couple of days a week to break the commute cycle?

Those who work ‘on-site’ like tradies, construction workers etc. will obviously need to be there in person!

People I have spoken to have confirmed the current situation that has ‘forced’ them to work from home. has proven it can be done successfully. 

There are drawbacks of course as we all know…like distractions. Lots of them! A spouse, the kids, jobs around the house, the fridge, the TV and the list goes on. Yes, it takes discipline to stay on track.

So, we now know many of us can successfully work from home/remotely for at least part of the working week. 

When we come out the other side of The Great Lockdown, how will your world look?

Is working from home/remotely a better lifestyle? Do you in fact like working from home…or detest it?

Would a combo of home/commuting suit you?

One thing that has personally grabbed my attention is the clean up of pollution. Clearer water in the canals of Venice for one. The lack of air pollution over mainland cities in China. Clearer air in the choked parts of India. Being able to see the Himalayas from 200 miles away. It is like the planet is getting a break from US and our daily outpouring of pollution in all its forms.

Whatever your "Post Lockdown" world ultimately looks like, one thing is for sure. Our level of appreciation for the basics in life, shaking hands, hugging each other, running in the park, backyard barbecues, family get togethers and the like will take on a sweeter taste!

Famously delivered by Mel Gibson as William Wallace in the movie Braveheart, is the classic line…they’ll never take away our FREEDOM!