How will Covid-19 change us?
I think we are so busy in the thick of things right now , that we forget that things change us in different ways.
I was in lockdown in kuwait before the first gulf war (1990). We left a month before the US starting bombing. I was 14 then. It is nothing like what is happening here for sure. But it did change me.
For example, If anything happens, I just rush for my one bag — it contains my passport. I value material possessions to the least. I don’t own much or care to discard it thinking I will not be able to take it with me when I have to run. This flight risk behavior creates a different kind of person. A person who is adaptable but highly unstable. Similarly, people who have had adverse childhood experiences will always be on the edge for other various reasons.
It is vital at this juncture to ensure our kids get a normal life. Because, just like me, they might have some odd behaviors in the future :)
Back to Covid -19. While we are in lockdown, we are all definitely thinking what we will do in the future and how will the future affect us ?
Here are a few of my predictions for 2021 and going forward , some obvious , some after deep thought:
- Remote work is here to stay. But , with a twist. Why should I pay someone more if they are not willing to commute to a place of work ? People will be paid less if they work from home. Because if you are remote, why can’t I find someone who can do the job from anywhere in the world.
It will be a new age of workers — the curve will shift to WFH workers 100% , come into the office occasionally as needed and the ones who need to be at work. Who chooses which one is not by choice alone, it is based on a group decision or a governmental mandate.
2. Communities will not be based on race, religion, caste or income. It will be based on the healthy or unhealthy. We want a functioning mini-economy everywhere. We will start to see the development of guarded ecosystems which dictates who enters, who leaves, who works there and how will they sustain themselves. A Cult ? possibly , but more of a necessity of cults. The good thing is that it will not be based on religion, it will be based on what kind of jobs we need done and what kind of people we need around us. ( You need specialists and generalists , but also all stratas of society)
3. A handshake is a very endearing form of trust. We will not shake or hug people. Touch becomes harder to accept. A handshake means , both of you have a deep sense of trust with each other.
4. Education systems will develop more health based programs. Kids will be taught to answer exams on self isolation and how to react in a public health disaster needs. They will be given exams to pass on it.
5. The world so far was the world of extroverts. They ruled so far because they could venture out and connect with people by being open and ready to sell, buy or trade. The new world will be the world of introverts. The ones who can perform in high efficiency when left in isolation. The ones who can control, sell and manage while being in isolation.
