Melvin Durai
Human beings are good at adapting and we’ve certainly adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic in many different ways.
For example, before the pandemic, we would visit our friends whenever we wanted. During the pandemic, many of us have managed to stay in touch with friends, but abandoned face-to-face meetings for the safety of video calls, sometimes taking the extra precaution of wearing masks during these calls.
Some people enjoy drinks or meals with each other through video screens. Romance blossoms at some of these meetings, with words of endearment exchanged and lips pressed against screens.
Once the pandemic is over, what will happen to these online get-togethers? Will we reserve them only for friends and relatives who live far away – or will we continue to meet our local friends in this way?
If you’ve become used to online gatherings, you may decide that they have a permanent place in your life. Why spend money on fuel to drive to a friend’s house when you can meet online in an instant? Well, if your friend has cooked a delicious meal, that may be a good reason to visit, especially if your friend is unwilling to have it delivered to your house.
The pandemic has changed many aspects our lives, and some of these changes have been called “the new normal” by experts. They expect the post-pandemic world to be quite different from the pre-pandemic world. But how different will it be? Here are five of the areas in which our lives may have permanently changed:
1. WORKING: Many people were forced to work from home during the pandemic and discovered many benefits of doing so. They didn’t have to waste time commuting to work. Instead of sitting in front of a computer in an office, they could sit in front of a computer at home and get just as much work done between cricket matches. Employers also found benefits in keeping their staff at home. They were able to close offices, save money on rent and electricity, and could shout at employees during online meetings without having any objects thrown back at them.
2. SHOPPING: While many people have continued to visit stores during the pandemic, others have switched their shopping mode to online ordering and home delivery or curbside pickup. Some of these people have not ventured into a grocery store in almost a year—they’ve even forgotten how to operate the shopping cart. Does it get pushed or pulled? Some of these people may eventually return to what’s known as “traditional shopping,” but a few will continue to enjoy the convenience of online shopping.
3. RESTAURANTS: Many restaurants had to close for at least a few weeks during the pandemic. When they reopened, they found that their dining room capacity had shrunk due to social distancing requirements. To maintain their business, they needed to rely on pickup and delivery. As a result, Uber Eats, Zomato and other delivery services thrived during the pandemic. Many customers may prefer to stay at home and have restaurant meals delivered to them, especially if they can keep the delivery driver from running over their pets.
4. LEARNING: While many schools switched to online learning during the pandemic, most of them have already switched back. But some students prefer to be online learners. This may even change how many students leave India to study abroad. Given the opportunity, they may choose to get an online degree from Cambridge University, while staying at home in Odisha and enjoying Mom’s fish curry.
5. YOGA AND EXERCISE: Just as online learning has flourished during the pandemic, so have various exercise programmes. Yoga teachers in India are guiding students from all over the world. My wife loves taking a yoga class three evenings a week from the comfort of our home. It brings her peace and calm. I enjoy the peace and calm of not having to drive her anywhere.