Discover the Many Ways COVID-19 Has Affected Our Lives by Jennifer Scott

Nothing ever stays the same. This is a certainty that can’t be denied. However, change usually takes place over many years or decades, and it rarely happens without some preparation. The coronavirus pandemic did not follow these rules. We’ve seen changes that have taken place overnight, and we’ve learned to roll with the proverbial punches and continue on as best we can.
Changes at Home
One of the first places that coronavirus had an impact was at home. Suddenly, all non-essential workers were out of a job or thrust into a work-at-home situation with zero time to prepare. For the most part, this has worked, and it has spurred a remote work revolution that is unlikely to disappear when the pandemic is declared over. However, it has also brought the realization that some of our plans may have to change course.
Buying and selling real estate is a prime example of how the world looks different now. Selling is a little more difficult since it’s harder to get buyers to break away from fear to enter an unknown location. Fortunately, because of rapid advancements in technology over the last decade or so, we can offer virtual tours that allow us to show our homes without the fear of cross-contamination. And although real estate prices have dropped slightly in some areas, people who have lost their jobs during widespread layoffs may no longer be able to take advantage of low interest rates. This means that some of us may not make planned moves until 2021 or later.
We’ve also taken to adopting pets for socialization and company. Adopting animals, however, comes with a set of challenges all its own. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services explains that this can include anything from aggression to health challenges.
A New Way to Work
At work, we have seen both good and bad changes. Those who are returning to the office but do not believe that mask-wearing is effective can face another type of job loss. In most parts of the country, Bloomberg Law explains, employment is at-will. This means that employers that mandate a mask as part of a dress code policy can take action against, up to and including firing, any employee that refuses to comply.
On the bright side, sheltering in place has shown us all of the beauty and challenges of working at home. It’s also given us the chance to explore ways to make money using our passions and talents instead of clocking into a structured routine each day.
Internal Upset
Perhaps the biggest change that most people have experienced is feeling rattled, shaken, and confused by recent events. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, but it has taken a significant toll on our mental health, particularly those in treatment and recovery for substance abuse.
Moving forward, many of us are likely to live in a passive state of fear that we might see another pandemic or major event in our lifetime. We may also wonder how much control we should give the government when and if the next shelter-in-place orders are issued.
Not all changes will last forever. But some will, and, for good or bad, we will continue to learn to adapt to them. One thing is certain, however, and that is that the human spirit is stronger than any of us could’ve ever imagined. We have adapted, and we will continue to change and transform so that we can remain in control of our environment.
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