There is no denying that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of distress and heartache all around the world and continues to do so. Covid-19 took a lot from everyone. But there are some positives to be taken from the situation we have been living with for the last 17 months. Whilst there are many things that we have looked forward to going back to normal, there are a few things that many would like to see remain.
What the pandemic gave us:
Flexible Working
There are of course pros and cons to working from home. But it has now been proven to employers that it can be done, and that flexible working can work. This will benefit everyone, but in particular the many families that have their flexible working requests required for child care denied. Flexible working could also reduce the gender pay gap. There seems to be little reason as to why the 9-5 office job should remain as it was.
Virtual Events
Whilst we have all missed live gigs and festivals, the rise of events broadcast via a live streaming company has meant we haven’t had to miss out completely. Imagine if in the future, not being able to go to the live event because one of the kids has got chickenpox, or the babysitter cancelled, doesn’t mean you have to miss it completely. Instead you can watch from the comfort of your own home and avoid the queue for the toilets!
Pursuing Dreams
Losing your job is never nice and sadly the pandemic has meant many people did lose their jobs. But it has also meant many people took the chance to start their own businesses and follow their passions. In fact the pandemic saw the UK’s strongest start-up boom in over a decade. Maybe having to slow down for a while gave people the chance to focus on what they really wanted.
Time
It is very easy to list the negatives and the things Covid took from us. But it is important to recognise the things the pandemic gave us and hold onto those. Whilst everyone was in very different situations the pandemic gave many people time. Time to slow down, more time with loved ones, time to pursue passions or learn new things, time to complete DIY projects around their homes.
Restaurant Deliveries
Whilst the likes of companies such as Deliveroo and Just Eat were around before the pandemic, Covid-19 certainly gave these delivery services a boost. The food delivery industry grew by 3.7 billion in 2020. Whilst this is likely to decline somewhat as restaurants open their doors with no restrictions, it’s a service that many will continue to use. It’s the only time it’s acceptable to eat a restaurant meal in your pj’s!
Whether the pandemic gave us a new future of working flexibly, or just the enjoyment of eating food from our favourite restaurant in our own homes, it has certainly been a catalyst for change in many ways and given us all new ways of thinking.