A majority of people won’t have seen anything like it in their lifetime, and hopefully, they won’t again. COVID-19, or Coronavirus, came about quickly and spread across the globe, leaving devastation in its wake.
Finances, education, and many other industries were put on hold and have had to adjust the way they work for now and possibly forever. In this article, we explore many of the ways the virus has affected all of us.
COVID’s economic impact is one of the most noticeable impacts on everyone. A lot of people lost their jobs and have had no income for months. As a consequence, families cut down on treats and their weekly shopping budget.
Other institutions have also had to adapt to stay afloat. The amount many pay for insurance, for example, has lowered a lot in various cases as so many people were calling to cancel plans. These companies now offer lower rates and special Coronavirus plans.
A huge number of businesses have also shut down or downsized due to the lack of customers. Restaurants and bars experienced the hardest hit. It’s not looking to get any better in the near future. Restrictions and social distancing requirements inside establishments mean fewer customers.
Students worldwide were forced to stay home and begin online learning. For some, it’s been a breath of fresh air and means they get to enjoy some well-needed family time. For others, it proved a struggle as remote studying doesn’t have the same effect as in a classroom.
Many school-goers fared worse on exams than expected. They didn’t have the resources available to study adequately, and younger learners find it hard to concentrate when watching their teacher through a screen.
Older students who attend university miss out on important life experiences, such as the social life that comes with the classes and campus life. The virus has stripped them of their first sense of freedom away from home.
A study by BrokeScholar.com mentions other negative effects this has on society, especially the towns and cities where the colleges are situated. These communities rely on the students for a large part of their income, so they’re finding it difficult to stay afloat in some situations, suffering from large unemployment rates.
Mental health problems have been among the worst effects of the virus. Many non-sufferers in the past are now experiencing anxiety and depression, and even the most introverted and home-lovers are feeling down in one way or another.
So many aspects have contributed to negative feelings, including loss of jobs, being in lockdown at home for extended periods, and missing family members, as well as the deaths of loved ones that we can’t physically say goodbye to.
WHO states that it’s a crucial factor they’re looking into during the pandemic. It provides guidance and advice to those who work in healthcare and with the elderly and children to lessen the effects.
One sector that’s flourishing in the current climate is technology. The digital world is booming with online classes, employees working from home, and many businesses starting up on the web. The future looks bright for internet workers and companies alike.
People looking for work right now will likely find many more opportunities online, and there are plenty of chances for freelancers. This year’s popular jobs include writing blogs, web designing, and teaching classes over the internet. Many of these jobs are easy to get due to the relatively low entry requirements.
Perhaps the most beneficial change that COVID gave us is the one to Mother Earth. With fewer cars on the road and more people staying at home, pollution has lowered. Our awareness of global warming has grown exponentially.
Within the first few weeks, we saw species emerging from the wilderness and heading towards communities. Coastlines were looking cleaner, and urban areas appeared greener. There’s no doubt that the virus forced humanity to see the damage done, and we’re now looking to a more eco-friendly future.
There’s no denying the negative effects COVID has on many people’s finances, education, and mental well-being. However, this has also made way for a breakthrough in tech and digital businesses; plus, it means that our planet is beginning to heal from the damage caused in the past.
Are these changes here to stay? It’s hard to say, but many speculate they’ll persist for the foreseeable future – most likely, for a long time to come.