At the risk of daring fate by looking at COVID-19 through the rearview mirror when the next round of disaster may be just around a blind corner, there are some things that we can say the world – and our community – gained from what we learned in “lockdown.”
- Remote Working Works
Before the pandemic forced us to get creative, spending eight hours a day in the office was just the norm. When we HAD to stay home, workers learned that working eight hours minus the commute, left more time – in some cases A LOT more time – for family and personal time. Not having to have a “work wardrobe” for five days a week meant more money in the bank and a sandwich from the fridge was a lot cheaper lunch.
- Getting It Delivered Is Awesome
The world was already moving toward online shopping before the pandemic. But most people didn’t even imagine getting groceries delivered to the front door or having dinner, complete with cocktails, brought to the door. Especially in areas where you couldn’t get a pizza after 11 p.m., the emergence of a plethora of delivery services has been a major life gain.
- Curbside Pickup Saves Major Time
One of the side effects of people spending far more time at home was the emergence of new interest in gardening and home improvement. Garden and home stores, however, needed to limit the number of customers in the store and curbside pickup provided an answer. Buyers could go online, order and pay. Store employees could pick and prepare orders and prepare them to deliver them to waiting vehicles. The resulting time savings for both customers and retailers has kept pick-up lanes busy even post lockdown.
- More Family Time, Contact Matters
Early in the pandemic, the isolation of older family members from younger generations and the inability to travel for visits was one of the greatest sacrifices families had to face. As more and more “meeting” technology emerged, it became routine and easy to “Zoom” or “Facetime” with relatives isolated from in-person visitation. It’s still not as good as being there, but the technology for family far away to “Zoom” to watch the baby taste his first birthday cake is truly a blessing.
- Supply Chain Awareness
For more than two decades, American consumers reveled in getting the “lowest price” on the most supplies, essentials and toys without thinking much about how they magically appeared on store shelves. The pandemic taught us that some things are better “made in America” especially those that keep us protected and supplied with essentials. We even learned that computer chips are essential. As a result, permanent changes in what we make in America have been made that will help create jobs and energize industry in the future.
