The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (Changes to Lifestyle Due to COVID-19)

It was near the end of 2019 when reports of a new strain of coronavirus infecting the population of Wuhan had surfaced on the mainstream media. Three months since that revelation, the novel coronavirus has now spread to more than 190 countries across the world.

The global number of coronavirus cases has exceeded 2 million and the death toll has risen to almost 150,000. In light of the lethality of the infection, major cities around the world have shut down with the citizens limited to their homes.

In the absence of a vaccine, social distancing has been deemed as the most effective way to combat the spread of the virus. For most of us, coronavirus has brought life to a standstill and has caused major changes in our lifestyle.

According to WHO and other leading health organizations around the world, the only way to limit the transmission of COVID-19 is through social distancing. This has forced us to transform the way we greet other people.

The primary advice by health professionals in this regard is to avoid physical contact that includes shaking hands and hugging. This approach has been difficult to implement since we are so used to embracing others or shaking hands when we meet. This has almost become an instinct, a reflex to physically greet other people.

One of the biggest changes to lifestyle due to COVID-19 has been our approach towards personal hygiene. The expert advice from doctors and health professionals has been to regularly wash our hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers has also been emphasized when you do not have access to soap and/or water. Although these handwashing guidelines sound obvious, most of us are guilty of not washing our hands properly and/or for the recommended period of time.

According to research conducted by Michigan University researchers, the average hand-washing time was only 6 seconds. Hence, the practice of washing hands for 20 seconds has been a major readjustment for a lot of people including me.

These recommendations have resulted in a drastic increase in demand for daily-use hygiene products like soaps, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and aerosol disinfectants across the world.

Undoubtedly the most significant impact on lifestyle due to coronavirus has stemmed from the lockdown of cities around the world. A unanimous ban on public gatherings has been enforced across the board.

Numerous events including sports, religious and political gatherings have been postponed indefinitely. To break the chain of transmission of this deadly virus, the whole world is under a massive lockdown.

People are restricted to the vicinity of their homes; this has been detrimental to the mental well-being of a lot of people. The fear regarding the course of this disease and the future has propagated a wave of anxiety and stress among the general population.

This new routine of staying inside your home and minimizing interaction with other people has been really difficult to adapt to for some people. They define it as being “stranded on an Island.”

To tackle this problem, Psychologists have urged the public to utilize this anxiety productively. Remember, the best way to stay positive is to stay productive. Utilize this time to read books that have been gathering dust on your bookshelf, write for yourself, spend time with your family and try to keep your mind away from the negative aspects of life.

Technology has been revolutionary in preventing the complete paralysis of our daily lives in quarantine. Social distancing has led to the ascent of the “work from home” culture.

This is the practice of working from the comfort of your home while staying connected to your colleagues over the internet. Numerous companies around the globe have created online systems to allow their employees to work from home.

These companies include Tech giants like Facebook, Twitter, and Google. This limited mobility due to the coronavirus has sparked a revolution in the professional world, analysts are predicting the “Virtualization” of business life in the near future.

This virtualization can lead to a greater number of employees working from home, more flexible working hours and a probable end to corporate travel.

The educational sector has also experienced a paradigm shift from its conventional teaching methods. The closure of educational institutions has led to teachers and educationalists using online platforms like WhatsApp, Skype, and Zoom to conduct online classes for their students.

Online education now seems to be the way forward, these advances will be pivotal in making education more interactive and accessible in the coming years.

An unofficial ban on international and domestic travel is being observed globally. According to several experts around the world, the aftermath of this pandemic can be detrimental to global connectivity and trade.

The pandemic has severely affected the global supply chain and has aided in the collapse of the global economy. World leaders and economists are now thinking about moving towards making their country more self-sufficient and financially independent.

This can lead to the death of “Globalization” as we know of it currently.

“How lifestyle has changed due to coronavirus?”, a seemingly simple question that has everything but a simple answer. This virus that has wreaked havoc across the world is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

In this time of global crisis, unity seems to be our only weapon against the menace known as the COVID-19. During this catastrophe, it is our moral responsibility to look after the underprivileged in society, the people who need our financial and moral support.

This virus has affected everyone regardless of their social, economic, or religious background. These testing times have given us the opportunity to reconnect with our morals and values and to reset our priorities as human beings.

It is imperative that we remain grateful and keep in mind the effects of this pandemic on the lifestyle of people who are just barely getting by. Let us also take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to health workers around the world who are risking their lives to ensure our safety. You are the real heroes.