How Will Life Change After Covid 19?

You hear people talk often about "The new normal."  What will that be?  I think there are two stages to consider:  One, the time before we have a vaccine when were are still wearing masks and social distancing, and two, when we have a vaccine and everyone is vaccinated. 

For the forseeable future, before we have a vaccine, things will definitely be different, and some of the changes may be permanent.  For example, more people will work at home.  Many may find that they really like it, and want to continue even after they can go back to work.  The result of this down the line is that companies may need less office space, which will affect commercial real estate.  Education will change.  Educators are still trying to work out how to get kids back in classrooms safely.  Many older students, middle school, high school and college, have discovered that learning on line works well for them.  One of my sons has discovered huge progress academically for their kids in the past 6 weeks as they have been home schooled.  Long term, I don't think that's what most people will choose.  It's hard for parents to work full time and home school.  Oh, there's so much to think about.  We will all go back to many of our regular activities, like gyms, restaurants, and hair salons, but with social distancing and extreme caution.  We will no longer be packed into bars for happy hour.

In the long term, after a vaccine is found for the virus, people will begin to go back to what we now consider "normal," but it won't be overnight.  I'm not sure I will ever again play bridge in a traditional bridge club, or that Ron will play poker in a casino.  Over time, when we're not worried about getting the virus, restaurants will be more crowded, concerts will return, even Las Vegas will come back to life.  These things are a long way off, and what could happen is that people will get used to doing things the "new" way, and be slow to return to how life used to be. 

What about cruise ships, dance clubs, crowded movie theatres, football stadiums?  Younger people will probably be more willing to take chances and get back to these activities sooner, but who knows?  For now, we'll have to watch and wait.  Do what the scientists say is best to keep us from having a big flare up in six months time.  I'm doing my part, and from what I see in San Diego, so are most people in our community.  As my neighbor says, she's dying to go out for a good steak dinner.  I told her to put that at the top of her new bucket list.