Quarantine makes people feel like caged animals. It can even make introverts itch to leave the house, which is no easy feat. Despite being trapped in our houses, we can find various methods of entertaining ourselves, and keeping ourselves sane, just not for long. In this less than ideal environment, it is easy to take a dismal stance when thinking about what the future holds. People are left thinking how society will emerge from this and if life will ever be the same. Maybe not in the way we once knew them to be. However, adaptations we have made during the coronavirus pandemic should be acknowledged, as the coronavirus exposed our weaknesses and revealed to us our priorities. 

The coronavirus pandemic has driven innovation in society. Enhancements and reinforcements to the systems we have in place will protect us against the next pandemic, or tragedy: “Humans experience social change as addition and complexification” (Dougherty, 2020). Essentially, systems such as hygiene regulations will be increasingly integrated into society, including using hand-sanitizers, washing your hands religiously, wearing masks on public transport and remembering to clean surfaces in public areas quite often. Esiason and Vought, the authors of a USA Today article demonstrate the importance of proper hygiene practices and it’s positive effects in Hong Kong when they report, “Even in one of the most densely populated areas in the world, good hygiene has helped reduce the incidence of coronavirus — while simultaneously reducing cases of influenza and the common cold” (Esiason & Vought, 2020). These were simple steps that the population was aware of before. Now due to the coronavirus, these precautions will be taken as a more serious health concern. All over social media, people are spreading awareness of the importance of social distancing, encouraging one another to take matters seriously to prevent a potential second wave. Together, we are adapting to our different lives, if we ever want there to be a chance of normalcy. 

The education system moved rapidly to online classes. This forced teachers everywhere to redesign their lesson plans. At first, many of my professors were hesitant to accept the change, and unsure of their ability to create an effective online classroom. Rather quickly, educators all over the world have been able to complete this challenge. This meant that new modules, new videos, and new methods of engaging students with the content were developed. According to Jon Marcus, author for the New York Times, “Faculty may incorporate online tools, to which many are being exposed for the first time, into their conventional classes” (Marcus, 2019). In addition to the rise in educational resources, people everywhere were forced to become more tech savvy to accommodate for the change, which could narrow the technological divide between generations. This content isn’t wasted when the pandemic ends, nor are the lessons we learn from it as it can be used for future semesters in combination with hands-on learning. 

As we become more comfortable using technology to supplement our learning, we can begin to appreciate what this form of education brought us. As work shifts online, people are able to spend more time with their families, something I’m sure the young children are happy about, and something teenagers might one day look back on with some strange fondness. These breaks in the day to relax in a comfortable environment, where a person is able to go for a walk or see the people they care about most, are able to alleviate anxiety and daily stresses. These moments of peace bring clarity, letting you be a better version of yourself. Since the mind is able to rest, this can motivate you to work as it feels like less of a burden. Thomason and Williamson explain in an article from the Harvard Business Review that, “They can stop rewarding the faster response over the better response, or the longer workday over a more productive workday” (Thomason & Williams, 2020). This pandemic has shown us that flexible scheduling does not equate to a decrease in productivity, a statement students can attest to. And while it’s true that these changes come with a learning curve, and it can be difficult to find the motivation to work online once in a while, we can still appreciate that the things we once found as bland, like going for a walk, are now seen as a beautifully distracting experience. 

Works Cited

Dougherty, M. B. (2020, April 29). Life after Coronavirus: Bet on Less Change Than You Hope or Fear. Retrieved May 3, 2020, from https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/04/life-after-coronavirus-bet-on-less-change-than-you-hope-or-fear/

Esiason, B., & Vought, M. (2020, March 21). Our kids have cystic fibrosis. We’ve been practicing coronavirus health hygiene for years. Retrieved May 3, 2020, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/03/20/continue-coronavirus-hygiene-after-pandemic-protect-vulnerable-column/2870558001/

Marcus, J. (2020, April 23). Will the Coronavirus Forever Alter the College Experience? Retrieved May 3, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/education/learning/coronavirus-online-education-college.html

Thomason, B., & Williams, H. (2020, April 16). What Will Work-Life Balance Look Like After the Pandemic? Retrieved May 3, 2020, from https://hbr.org/2020/04/what-will-work-life-balance-look-like-after-the-pandemic