A New Normal: What Could it Look Like?
When questions come up about life on the other side of a pandemic, there seems to be an underlying tenet of fear and anxiety that isn’t being discussed regularly in main stream media. In truth, life after any overwhelming type of stress can bring about unexpected improvements and a refocusing that drives new positive growth. Using a periscope of hope mixed with resilience and a touch of reality from the things already occurring, here’s how our new normal could look:
- Husbands, wives, immediate and extended families have reconnected and bonded through the stay at home experience. They have become more interested in the feelings and concerns of each other, opening the lines of communication, creating more balance and peace at home. In this video, Dave Rubin shares how he, his family and other families have reconnected and bonded during this time.
- People experience and express more gratitude, allowing them to connect with their inner strength and resilience. https://thriveglobal.com/stories/gifts-of-gratitude-in-the-midst-of-the-covid-19-crisis/
- Corporations find a sustainable balance between profits and ethical behavior, making compassion and fairness regular behavior. A recent example of this is auto insurance companies giving refunds to customers nationwide for the months of reduced driving due to shelter in place orders. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/15/what-types-of-relief-insurers-are-offering-drivers-during-the-pandemic.html
- Without shame or embarrassment, men and women allow themselves to talk openly about their own mental health needs and those of their children. And they actively seek professional therapy if and when it’s needed. A Vox article written by Anna North on April 16, 2020 said “Some mental health service providers are already seeing an uptick in people reaching out during the pandemic. Crisis counselors at the California-based nonprofit Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, for example, got 1,800 calls related to Covid-19 in March, up from just 20 in February.” (Full article: https://www.vox.com/identities/2020/4/16/21219693/coronavirus-anxiety-depression-mental-health-ptsd-covid). The same article mentions regulatory changes at the national level that will allow easier access to insurance covered telehealth services for physical and mental health issues.
- It’s commonplace to see, experience and reciprocate gestures of kindness and compassion being paid forward. Right now companies, celebrities and everyday people are stepping forward in numerous ways to offer their support. An example is the One World: Together at Home musical event to benefit the World Health Organization.
- New refreshing energy enters the entrepreneurial world, giving rise to ideas never seen before and unexpected gains in the small business arena that benefits people and communities all over the world. The U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovation Research Program offers multiple opportunities for small businesses to give proposals on a variety of defense-focused needs including countermeasures for COVID-19.
- Those who selflessly care for others or put themselves in harm’s way for another (ie. caregivers, doctors, nurses, heroes in general, etc) would receive special thank you rewards from companies. Currently ATT is giving doctors and nurses 3 months of free mobile service. https://www.slashgear.com/att-gives-doctors-and-nurses-three-free-months-of-phone-service-13616538/
- People who lost their income are given new opportunities that fill multiple needs in the community. These new opportunities would be the perfect balance where everyone wins. A few weeks ago Lyft drivers were being hired by government agencies, non-profits and health care organizations to deliver essential items and groceries to seniors, the disabled and those isolating for medical reasons. The Essential Deliveries initiative is already being used in 11 cities.
- The interest to fund and support charities grows exponentially. Dylan Matthews a philanthropic writer at Vox recently offered an insightful view of donating and some of the different options to do so. A few of the charity options include building a safety net of food and supplies, preventing future pandemics and funding research.