The Covid-19 pandemic is much more than a major health crisis that has produced massive business closures and job losses. It represents a “change agent” that will likely produce a range of impacts in Health Care, Education, Technology and in the world of Business. Some of these changes may be temporary but many of them will be permanent; they will remain long after a vaccine is found. Here are some examples of the changes taking place.
A recent study by Jonathan Dingel and Brent Neiman of the University of Chicago found that 37 percent of jobs in the U.S. can be performed from home. Webex, GoToMeetings, Microsoft Teams, Face Time and Zoom video conference calls are now a regular part of every day. While these services were in widespread use pre-Covid, they are being increasingly used by businesses, schools, churches, associations, and other organizations. Working from home has certain disadvantages (i.e. distractions, noise levels, inability to arrange impromptu face-to-face meetings with coworkers etc.) but it has certain inherent significant benefits (reduced travel time, fuel consumption and carbon emissions) that should provide many citizens with a better quality of life.
Just as important as the social and technological changes being driven by the pandemic are the changes taking place in the operations of specific business segments. Some industries (i.e. restaurants, travel, hospitality etc.) are being transformed as new processes and procedures are put in place to protect consumers and employees.
For example, restaurants are rearranging tables so their customers sit six feet apart, they are erecting plexiglass dividers to limit the exchange of potentially harmful respiratory droplets between patrons, or between patrons and employees, creating disposable menus, and ensuring their employees wear masks, gloves and other protective equipment. Similarly, airlines are making changes to their processes by performing temperature checks before passengers enter a departure gate, leaving the middle seats vacant on their flights and by more frequently sanitizing their planes.
...