As the world continues to battle the pandemic and the Coronavirus-related losses, we are trying to adjust to the new normal. Similar to 9/11’s impact on airport security practices, Covid-19 is changing the way we live, work, socialize, and design our public spaces.
There is no question about it – the Coronavirus pandemic is reshaping our lives. Altering some of the practices in order to minimize the spread of the virus left us with some major changes in our daily lives.
Here are five innovations Covid-19 has brought us.
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Clothing: Wearing Protective Face Masks
This is the most obvious impact of the current pandemic.
Slowly, face masks have become commonplace, and now we are surprised at the sight of people running errands mask-free. Who would have thought that a year ago?
Medical experts are emphasizing that smart practices and good choices can help you reduce your risk of infection. One of the easiest and most important methods is wearing personal protective equipment.
As mounting new evidence suggests that Coronavirus may stay airborne in poorly ventilated indoor areas, wearing face masks has become even more important.
A reusable protective face mask is easier both on your wallet and the environment, and just like anything else, you can buy it online.
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Maintaining Physical Distance in Restaurants and Bars
The more strict measures against Coronavirus are lifted in most of the world, and restaurants and cafes are trying to enforce social distancing as they are reopening. To help their customers maintain a safe distance between each other, some places have gotten very creative.
Mediamatic ETEN restaurant in Amsterdam has installed five mini-greenhouses around each table to protect their customers.
The Fish Tales Bar & Grill Restaurant in Maryland provides its customers with large mobile rubber rings in an attempt to keep them six feet apart.
These bumper tables are on wheels, ensuring guests are safe while enjoying a memorable and fun experience.
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Technology Has Become a Major Part in Our Lives
From Zoom to other digital platforms, the pandemic has moved a significant portion of our lives online.
For many people, technology has become the only way to work. And even more: in the wake of a second Covid-19 wave, the reality is that if we want to get or stay fit, be educated, or simply get some entertainment, we are left to our own electronic devices.
Staying in touch with our loved ones has been massively affected too, especially when it comes to our senior friends and family, or the ones with pre-existing medical conditions. Zoom and other tools are helping people stay connected.
They are becoming more prevalent than plain phone calls since they allow us to have video calls.
Fitness classes have moved online, too.
Even teaching has transitioned to digital lessons, and they may be here for the long haul.
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Virtual & Drive-In Concerts
As the world faced the Coronavirus for the first time, there was heartwarming solidarity around the world. Organizations and individuals offered their services online for free, just so the people could cope with the lockdowns and the uncertainty better.
Many musicians streamed their concerts online, so people could enjoy their music while quarantined.
With certain restrictions eased nowadays, more and more aspects of social life are making a comeback. In a slightly altered form, that is.
To create safer concert experiences, drive-in concerts have become increasingly popular. They allow us to see our favorite artists while keeping a safe distance from others.
Some festivals are trying to keep up as well. Besides limiting the number of people that can attend each day, groups of up to six people can occupy a spot at the outdoor venue. And these hexagons are more than six feet apart.
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Improved Hygiene Practices
It turns out our moms were right all along! And surprisingly – most people don’t wash their hands very well. Since the outbreak, we have all become familiar with proper hand-washing practices. According to some surveys, most people are washing their hands more often and for 30 seconds.
But the change in hygiene habits isn’t limited to personal hygiene only.
Airlines will have to improve their cleaning routines, too, in order to convince people that these tight spaces are safe. The same applies to airports and other public areas. They will have to be sanitized more frequently.
The demand for hand sanitizers (and other cleaning agents) has increased so much that the global sanitizer market is expected to grow by more than $12 billion in the next four years.
Since Covid-19 struck, almost no nation is spared, and life has changed for most people. It seems we will have to adapt and embrace these alterations since experts believe that we’ll have to learn to live with this virus.