CHANGE- The Positive Aspects Of COVID-19

As we move forward from a terrific year with more downs than ups, very few of us really want a flashback of that year. Although the start of the year was as normal as other years, it ended with something we really didn’t imagine possible. It compelled us to rethink the way we used to live our lives altogether.

Economy crash, recession, unemployment, rupee-dollar fluctuations, border tensions are among the many downsides that we came through. The list continues to include frustration, depression, anxiety, mental health issues, lethargy, obesity which we are still dealing with.

But for every low, there is a high, and this current scenario has it. Here are a few of the positive impacts that the pandemic has gifted us.

1. Better Hygiene Practices

There was a time when being hygienic was considered a good habit, but now, it has become a necessity for survival. People have become aware of the importance of personal hygiene.

From shaking hands to ‘Namaste’, we had a lifestyle change. From now on, we’re going to cover our mouths more frequently while coughing, sneezing, and sanitize our hands after touching anything.

2. Technological Innovations

The quarantine welcomed a lot of ideas, tips, tricks, hacks to beat the lockdown and make our daily lives a bit more interesting and less boring. The software industry has undergone a huge shift in the working style of the employees. Work that was not imaginable to be done from home has become a reality. According to several surveys conducted, more than 92% of employees all over the world are working from home.

This has unlocked a new way to connect ourselves. Finding creative ways to not let the boredom of four walls get us is the new trend.

3. New Tools and Software

This one needs a special mention. There was a time when Zoom Meetings, Skype calls were occasional in the IT industry and most needed while connecting with onshore clients. Now, it has grasped a large percentage of our office time.

Companies had to frequently re-ensure that their security systems are correctly in place and in good condition. They had to bring new laws and protocols restricting different activities so that privacy and data security issues are minimized. They had to perform security check-ups of different systems more frequently than ever. Since remote working is where companies are looking forward to, these laws and protocols should be strengthened more to ensure that there is no compromise on data security.

4. Education Sector

The education sector was also one of the most influenced sectors. Mobiles, laptops, and tablets have become schools and universities. As the days are passing with no immediate solution, it is largely affecting the learning community across the country. The structure of the Indian education system, i.e., learning methodology, teaching techniques, and assessment methodologies are quite affected and resulted in a shift towards virtual mode.

But only a handful of schools and universities could really afford such methods. Low-income private and government schools face more challenges in adapting to these methods, which, in turn, puts the future of a huge community of students at risk.

5. More Family Time

During the lockdown period, we had got an ample amount of time to spend with our families, which we rarely got in pre-COVID times, due to our daily chores and work pressure. Parents got more time to spend with their children which also developed a sense of care and security among them. The bond between the members of a family got strengthened. Moreover, people got time to pursue their hobbies, nurture their interests which were left un-nourished due to the busy schedules.

To end with, this pandemic has opened newer opportunities for individuals, as it has closed for many. Freelancing is an area where companies will be looking forward to in the future rather than full-time employment. The work-from-home concept will be more normalized than it was ever before. Employees will be having options to choose work-from-home or work-from-office as per their choice. Few companies will be looking towards a hybrid model where both WFO and WFH exist. The Healthcare sector will be booming up. Investments in Stock markets, IPOs, and Mutual Funds will be encouraged. The education sector has seen a huge transformation, but this way of delivering education is not sustainable, and the results will not be that great until amendments and guidelines are clearly specified and followed.

We wish everyone good health and a Happy New Year