COVID-19, or Coronavirus Disease 2019, is a viral illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This global pandemic, originating in late 2019 wreaked havoc on our daily lives. Its impact can still be observed in various aspects, altering how we work, socialize, and prioritize health. At the time I'm typing this, there have been over 6,000,000 Covid related deaths worldwide.
One of the most profound changes brought about by COVID-19 was the widespread adoption of remote work. Lockdowns and social distancing measures forced businesses and schools to adapt, accelerating the shift toward flexible work arrangements. Virtual meetings and remote collaboration tools became the norm, challenging traditional office dynamics and reshaping the future of work. Our kids went on spring break and didn’t return to school until the following spring. Suddenly I found myself working at the hospital and homeschooling. The pandemic introduced new social norms. Face masks were required, and personal hygiene gained heightened importance. Social distancing protocols reshaped the way we gather, transforming once-crowded spaces into meticulously organized environments that prioritize safety. Everything shut down. No malls, no movie theaters, no hair or nail salons, even church was online.
The impact on mental health was awful. The uncertainty, fear, and isolation associated with the pandemic took a toll on all of us. This med to the rapid development and distribution of vaccines. The vaccination campaigns aimed to curb the spread of the virus and mitigate the severity of its effects were everywhere, but they did offer hope for a return to normalcy. It also caused a major divide in families, schools, healthcare, and churches. It felt scary that the government was requiring a vaccination. But we did it, because we didn’t know what else to do. There are things I still miss about the time we had as a family during the shutdown, as strange as it is to say. While it brought about major challenges, the forced slowdown allowed for increased focus on certain areas. Reduced human activity during lockdowns led to temporary improvements in air and water quality. With fewer cars on the road and industries operating at reduced capacity, there was a noticeable decrease in pollution levels in various regions. I have never seen the skies so clean and clear in my lifetime.
The pandemic also made remote work, online education, and telemedicine more common, which still gives us more flexibility and accessibility in all sorts of aspects of life.
A lot of us had to reflect on our lives. The shift to remote work made us think about our work-life balance. We reevaluated priorities and found better ways to live, fostering a healthier balance.
All that said…I hope we NEVER have to go through that again.
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