The Corona Virus has Changed Our Lives? Which Changes Will Last? | Senior Focus | Max Greenberg | Palo Alto Online |

Local Blogs

Senior Focus

By Max Greenberg

E-mail Max Greenberg

About this blog: I developed a special interest in helping seniors with their challenges and transitions when my dad had a stroke and I helped him through all the various stages of downsizing, packing, moving and finding an assisted living communi...  (More)

View all posts from Max Greenberg

The Corona Virus has Changed Our Lives? Which Changes Will Last?

Uploaded: May 2, 2020
With a little extra time to ponder these days I was wondering what things have changed and will remain changed or altered after the Shelter in Place orders are lifted and the virus appears to have been contained and it’s safe to resume much of our normal life again. Obvious on that list of course would be cooking for ourselves more since we have probably gotten more skilled and creative at it with the extra practice we’re having.

Here’s a Top 11 list of items according to VOX Media April 22, 2020. Vox asked experts in fields ranging from behavioral sciences to economics; restaurateurs; and big thinkers on democracy and public health to predict what’s next. These, they say, are some of the ways the pandemic will transform our societies. Please add to the list if you think something’s missing, or state your case for removing it. Stay safe - it ain't over 'til the fat man sings, and it still might not be over even then.

The mask could become a wardrobe staple. People will begin to stock up for essentials, as soon as they can get them.

Overall consumption will be down, as we realize there were a lot of things we were spending money on that we now realized we could get along quite well without (you make your own list on this one)

Childcare will finally become recognized as essential work, too. For many the sheer work of taking care of children all day suddenly has become extremely obvious. In the past, that work has often been invisible.

America will become a nation of savers.

The US will test-run more just-policing and incarceration such as suspending jail time for technical violations and reducing arrests for low-level offenses.

The American economic system may need a fundamental re-organization in that health insurance is tied to employment.

Voting will become easier — and turnout will go up (unless “interested parties” are successful in getting voters to fear mail-in ballots.

Some/many restaurants that closed will remain closed, especially the more “exotic” ones

“Basic Income” (Free money) might someday be bound for your bank account (Andrew Yang was ahead on this)

Say goodbye to handshakes, and casual hugs and kisses.

Religions will embrace their online future and expand their membership.
Community.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by babyboomer1, a resident of another community,
on May 3, 2020 at 8:17 am

babyboomer1 is a registered user.

I really like your topic Max!
I think that after this pandemic is all over, there will be more work performed at home. This time has given us a chance to see if we like to work from home and how much more time we have for the commute. Maybe a combination of both home and the office would work!
I work at a college, and I can see that more classes will be now taught online because the professors and students got a taste of what it could be like. I personally think that in-person classes are superior. However, the fact that online classes can be easier to get to, make them more desirable.
Let's hope people will make positive choices when they can and appreciate that they can finally make choices again!


Follow this blogger.
Sign up to be notified of new posts by this blogger.

Email:

SUBMIT

Post a comment

Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed.

Stay informed.

Get the day's top headlines from Palo Alto Online sent to your inbox in the Express newsletter.

New artisanal croissant shop debuts in Santa Clara
By The Peninsula Foodist | 3 comments | 3,383 views

Marriage Interview #17: They Renew Their Vows Every 5 Years
By Chandrama Anderson | 7 comments | 1,445 views

Tree Walk: Edible Urban Forest - July 8
By Laura Stec | 4 comments | 1,107 views