It has been three months now since we all are cooped up in our houses waiting for the government to lift the lockdown and quarantine. Continually worrying about the presence of a virus without a proven cure has made us think about our lives after this pandemic passes away. Many countries around the world aren’t able to handle this lockdown well, simply because their economies just couldn’t bear the pain of closed industries and daily businesses. However, the main question arises is whether life will be the same after the lockdown finishes?
Many of the experts are already predicting and confirming that post coronavirus lockdown will be very much different than what it used to be. Public engagement scenarios are going to change as people will be more careful. New rules to navigate through life while keeping in mind the risk to our health is going to be the new normal Three aspects of the world are going to change post coronavirus lockdown:
- New patterns of social interactions and behavior.
- Working to repair the damage to the economy.
- Learning from this pandemic and improving healthcare capabilities to prevent further such epidemic outbreaks.
Soon all the countries are bound to open the lockdown and let the people out to maintain the balance between life and economy. For better functioning of the world while the coronavirus is present without a reliable vaccine, governments can take the following measures:
- Odd-even vehicles permitted on different days (as recently executed in Delhi to combat pollution and a version of this in Singapore)
- Reducing the number of hours that people can go to a public place (as in Panama) or the number of family members that go out every day.
- Trying to change working hours through shifts, reduced workweeks, limits on office occupancy, and emphasis on work-from-home for simpler tasks.
- Restricted the number of passengers in transportation (e.g., no bus or train stands, or a limit of two in a car).
The people themselves will be taking some precautions to protect themselves at work and socially. Masks are going to be a more common accessory, people will be more serious about sanitizing and washing hands frequently. No hugs, handshakes, keeping a distance from each other, and sneezing in the elbow. Ensure clear and safe standards in closed areas such as office spaces, meeting rooms, cafeterias, warehouses, factories, etc.
Aside from these, the industries are going to work in full-force after the lockdown to revive the crumbling economy. Re-opening technology, agriculture, banking, and manufacturing while maintaining new norms of sanitization. Many are losing their jobs and source of income, so there is a need to construct policies that will allow some financial assistance to them. Finally, relief needs to be done quicker by the Government itself. Pay GST refunds on time, and export credits. Moving on to policy changes quickly. Make sure there is balanced liquidity in the market.
There is also a need to pay special attention to the empty holes in the healthcare systems that are not visible due to the pandemic. Proceeding to maintain adequate hospital beds, ventilators, and PPE (personal protection equipment) for health care professionals, central and state governments will be vital in managing the health care burden. Supporting, improving, and rising the numbers of medical personnel and paramedics during these tough times would be the bigger challenge ahead. Developing units of research and commissions to handle future outbreaks of infectious diseases.
As the Fourth lockdown draws close, people are on the edge to get out and get their normal lives back. But assuming the conditions now, there is going back to normal. We can only hope that the virus spread doesn’t get worse than it already is.
