Life As We Know It Now Since COVID-19

The first big wave of SARS-COV-2, or COVID-19, seems to be passing in through Europe. Many countries are slowly restarting their economies.

Others are embracing travellers coming from abroad to spend some time on their beaches and at their resorts. After weeks of being locked up at home, it’s nice to get outside again!

Will the world return to normal? Well… it depends on what “normal” means. These days “normal” seems to change day to day! Life in the post-COVID-19 world will be different in many small but significant ways. They’ll likely feel weird at first, but in time, these changes will become the new norm. We humans aren’t great at change when it first happens but we seem to adapt pretty quickly. So, I guess this will be no different?!

No Crowds

Here in the UK, it’s a bit confusing to know exactly what we can and cant do when it comes to meeting other people. It seems to change so often with no one really knowing what we were meant to be doing before the change!

Places like New Zealand have dealt with this SO much better. They were 100% transparent with their citizens, telling them exactly what to do. They were able to open up their beaches for tourists – still enforcing social distancing measures of course!

Even though i have now been venturing out now and then, i am staying at home more than i would have done before. I guess my home has become my little safety bubble where it can’t get me.

Activities

Things like booking a table at a popular restaurant is now so much harder than before. Even though actually i still have no desire to go out for a meal yet. However i have been keeping an eye on what restaurants are doing to keep us safe. At the same time, schedules have been introduced for activities such as going to the gym. This now requires more planning than simply turning up. Also, a lot of gyms still aren’t allowing big classes and many haven’t reopened up their changing rooms. Which, unless you live locally, or can at least go back home afterwards, is kinda gross! I couldn’t think of anything worse than having to spend the entire day in work clothes, with dried sweat underneath. I thought about using antibacterial wipes under my arms but hated the idea of those chemicals being so close to my major glands.

Then, i came across a genius product! Shower in a Can is an antibacterial soap for your hands, hair and body. So, not only will it clean your body and get rid of that sweaty residue after a workout. It’ll also work as a hand sanitiser as well. Oh, and did i mention you also don’t need to use water with it. It’s a dry soap – Vegan Society Trademarked, cruelty free, and dermatologically tested.

No Touch

Keeping our distance has become the new norm when it comes to interacting with the world around us. Greetings won’t be the same for a while yet. Hugs, handshakes and high-fives have been replaced by awkward air fist bumps, nods or waves. Extra hygiene measures have been enforced everywhere. Especially where you might have to touch things other people have touched.

At the gym, the equipment will be disinfected after every use. Towels placed underneath you while using equipment. Even things you don’t think of like filling up your car at the petrol station. Many people will be touching the pump both before and after you. The handles of trolleys in supermarkets…etc. You don’t realise how much you touch on a day to day basis without even thinking!

During the lockdown, retailers encouraged us to use our contactless cards. Perhaps our smartphone payments instead of cash. Going no-touch or low-touch will become a new norm everywhere… I expect we will start to see more and more hands-free door openers and sensor-powered soap or disinfectant dispensers all over the place.

Will life ever return to normal after COVID-19? Sooner or later it will but it certainly doesn’t feel that way at the moment. We just have to give it time. Scientists are tirelessly working on creating treatments. Preventive measures for the coronavirus are being put in place for us all. While it may not happen very soon, it will end. But by that time, the new normal will be one with a different etiquette and filled with the habits we form during these trying times.

How have you coped throughout COVID-19?

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