OVERVIEW.
The covid 19 pandemic brought about a lot of changes and shifts in different aspects of life. From economic to social impacts in both positive and negative ways. We can never change the fact that many of us find it difficult to accept change but there are always pros and cons that come with change. However, as humans we tend to focus more on the downside and overlook the benefits that come along. Covid 19 came with a lot of difficulties during and after the pandemic but I am sure there is quit a number of positive impacts too.
CHANGES IN WAY OF LIFE.
The first noticeable thing that covid 19 brought about is the ultimate change in the way of life of many people. The whole idea of social distancing and banning of social gatherings did put more strain on relationships that were already suffering due to social media and it caused a lot of frustration on individuals. Imagine having an idea of a possibility of dying and then being asked to stay away from your loved ones. You would realize that people are getting more comfortable with merely chatting over the phone with their loved ones. Family or in-person gatherings are no longer valued as they used to be before the pandemic. People now gather on funerals only.
Online shopping has become a norm after the pandemic. And again, it is good and bad at the same time. This means that there could be a couple of individuals who could have lost their jobs in certain sectors because their services were no longer relevant. However, this could have opened up opportunities for other individuals with certain skills that are relevant. For instance, if a boutique owner decides to sell online only and store their goods at home, they will not need to rent a store anymore and may need to let go of some of their staff. Costs are reduced on their side but it’s a disadvantage to the owner of the building they were using and the individuals who have lost their jobs.
EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS.
A lot of businesses closed down and some reduced their scale of operations during the pandemic and a lot of people lost their jobs as a result. Some of these people got new jobs and some are still unemployed up to now. Governments took drastic measures in trying to control the spread of the virus and this negatively impacted on the economy hence the livelihood of many. Nowadays businesses have to make sure they have an online presence in order for them to be successful.
Some people were lucky to have jobs that would allow them to work remotely, at least they were still earning their income. For many, it has remained like that, working from home. Meetings are now being held online, there’s no-more need to meet physically or in person. That means we have to find better use for meeting rooms and office space. The demand for labor in certain economic sectors has dwindled whilst its rising in other sectors especially the healthcare sector. Artificial intelligence is also taking over.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT.
Since peoples’ movements were restricted, many became active on social media. A lot of people started to spend much of their time on social media platforms. Some people are making money through social media but a lot of them are just there for entertainment purposes, or for them to get entertained. This has also brought about a lot of chaos in lives of many due to the negative influence of social media.
Mental health issues are rising and a lot of suicide cases are being reported. If you look at it properly, everyone on social media is very successful. I mean people only post their best moments and this would make someone feel like they are a failure, depression follows and then suicide if not drug abuse. Innocent children are being exposed to content that is harmful to them.
EDUCATION.
In terms of education, online learning has become popular. It is wiser to choose to study a course considering its relevance in the now and the near future.