In the story “A Christmas Carol,” when Charles Dickens received “visits” from all three ghosts in one night, he shouts so all can hear, “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the past, the present, and the future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
It seems that the coronavirus pandemic, like many negative events, may turn out to have some life-changing, hopefully positive, effects. Even now, in the middle of this pandemic, it has begun to look as if it is changing the way we live—and some of the changes might well become permanent.
We will skip over the health issues, save for the notion that, next time, far more Americans will likely have an emergency supply of non-perishable foods, household items such as toilet paper and paper towels or wipes, and even the often-recommended three to six months of emergency money, in case of job loss or food shortages.
Most of the workforce works from home now, and it would not be surprising to see some percentage of Americans continue to do so after life returns to normal. In 2018, the average American commuted 27 minutes one way to work—that is nine days—or more than a week’s vacation—on the road. This number is significantly longer in larger cities.
With apps such as Zoom, which allow people to see each other during virtual meetings, all employees need is the internet, a flexible employer, and a bit of self-starting mentality to work from home. Look for more employers to make this possible for employees—especially parents.
The quarantine also seems to have brought an increased appreciation for the simpler things in life—time with family, the neighbors and outdoors. Public parks seem full of walkers, moms and kids, and other folks in a way we haven’t seen in some time—so packed, in fact, that it is becoming increasingly difficult to practice the social distancing guidelines we’re all trying to follow.
We see happy children skipping along the path, glum teenagers annoyed to have been pulled away from their video games, and uptight adults looking for a moment of sunshine and fresh air. People still need people, even if they can only wave. It appears that when businesses and restaurants are closed and people are forced to only be with their family, some revert to the barest of necessities in life—family, friends, exercise, fresh air and sunshine.
The coronavirus also has led to increases in charitable giving, forums to help the elderly and sick, and an overall sense of community camaraderie, especially through the benefit of technology. Facebook groups, apps such as NextDoor, or even just Twitter or Instagram have seen upticks in GoFundMe sites organized for groups or families who need extra funds during this time.
Two organizations that work to eradicate poverty—Robin Hood in New York City and Tipping Point in San Francisco—partnered with a journalist and GoFundMe to help hourly wage workers who have lost their jobs and need help covering their living expenses. This Facebook page is for people in Texas who want to help in some way.
It has been amazing the number of resources that have popped up for people to either tap into if they need help, or for others to give to financially. It’s admirable how our country is so charitable and able to rise to the challenge in dire times of need. Let’s hope this spirit of gratitude and giving continues after we have long dealt with the effects of the virus.
