THINGS TO COME - Corona-wise

Peering Through the Corona Looking Glass

The coronavirus will catalyze changes in society. It will cause future suspicion, caution, and fear of contagion. (We do not yet know if there are carriers of this disease. Compare Typhoid Mary.) There is more, mostly about life-style and government operations. The use of masks and gowns will become widespread, at least for a while. The elderly will be more careful; nursing homes will require medical tests prior to admission.  Hospital will require tests as well, with new patients possibly quarantined on their day of admission.  These provisions you would expect.  There are more, and they apply to all.

• Many students, now forced to stay at home to study, may never return, preferring another career direction for their lives.
• New employees will be given thorough medical exams.
• Many companies will discover that many of their functions are better served by workers at home, thus saving office costs. Supervision issues will be solved.
• A new emphasis on households having a rainy day fund will enjoy a new popularity.
• Many people will learn nose-to-nose dependency on social contact is critically important.
• At least one country has learned that a virus infusion combined with military aggression is a possible operational strategy. This gives biological warfare a new slant.
• National borders may return.
• Family vacations will be planned far more cautiously.
• Frequent TV ads for hand washing, brushing teeth, daily showers, and general proper hygiene will become common. (This was popular decades ago.)
• Schools and employers will re-emphasize proper cleanliness.
• Every municipality will have an active health officer issuing frequent health alerts. Restaurants will be monitored more closely than ever with newer and more stringent health requirements.
• We may see a de-emphasis of political ideologies in favor of health and safety of citizens.