8 COVID-Era Changes That Are Here To Stay

COVID-19 created a temporary “new normal” that would have been hard to imagine had we not lived it.

Sports disappearing, months long school closures, a crippled travel industry, shelter in place mandates — life as we knew it seemingly ceased to exist. Thankfully, a year and a half later, mass vaccinations have us on a path toward getting back to our pre-2020 lives.

But even as we return to a more traditional way of doing things, some “new-normal” changes are likely to persist.

Here are some of the changes that could stick around in the years ahead:

1. Remote working ?‍?

One thing most people are not looking forward to in a post-COVID world is the return to “road warrior” commuting.

With the telework boom, workers are expanding their horizons when considering where they might live. And while some professions require working in person, expect to see a significant uptick in desk jobs that allow for flexible location for full- and part-time workers.

A recent McKinsey & Company study suggests that 20 to 25 percent of these types of jobs “could work from home between three and five days a week.”

Speaking from personal experience, after several years of a two-plus-hour commute pre-Creative2, I certainly would never want to go back — and think that any company focused on staff wellness will place an emphasis on flexibility. Take a look at some of the tools Creative2 thinks every company should have in place to compete in the new economy.

2. Mask wearing ?

Wearing masks may not completely be going away anytime soon. Health experts expect to see facial protection stick around, especially during flu season and on public transportation. Masks also protect those who are immunocompromised and have been found to relieve social anxiety.

The more people in an office-type setting who want to stop the spread of any disease, not just something as serious as COVID-19, the more likely mask wearing will be an option.

3. Online commerce ?

As the pandemic comes to an end, we will most likely see a rebound for in-person retail.

That being said, with online shopping and door-to-door delivery available for just about everything – many new consumer behaviors are here to stay and companies must continue to invest to improve their online shopping experiences.

While most agree that retailers will strive for a hybrid experience, with satisfactory options whether you’re shopping online or in-person, some well-known stores are reconsidering the long-term strategy behind their brick-and-mortar locations.

4. Online events ?

At the start of COVID shutdowns, the event industry was absolutely shook. We at Creative2 experienced this firsthand as a frequent provider of live event technology.

Fortunately, many companies found ways to adapt — taking their conferences and live experiences online.

As the industry continues to innovate, digital events are no longer being considered second-rate experiences birthed from necessity. Instead they’re considered viable and immersive options that will most likely continue to be offered to anyone who can’t attend in person.

Beyond major public gatherings, expect to see hybrid learning as a permanent fixture of the education landscape, as well as livestreaming for more personal events, including graduations and weddings.

5. Lessened demand for commercial real estate ?

Commercial real estate has long been one of the largest and most important industries in the United States and around the world. COVID-19 brought an unprecedented disruption to this sector — and many experts predict that workers and consumers will continue to favor an untethered, tech-supported lifestyle, which will continue to be a major force of change for how space is utilized.

Creative2, along with a growing list of companies, allows many employees to work from home. And some, as in Creative2’s case, offer a local CoWork membership for staff who would prefer to be in an office environment.

6. Small restaurant innovations ✨

Restaurants may have been hit hardest out of all the industries impacted by COVID-19. On the bright side, as they say, adversity often brings innovation.

Some enhancements that will likely become the new norm include online ordering and easy pickup (which was already in place for many mainstream brands but has been accelerated), accessing food options via a QR code instead of a paper menu, and using your phone to pay without having to interact with the wait staff.

And although many believe that in-person dining will continue to regain popularity, ordering food to be dropped at your frontdoor will continue to be a go-to option.

Long gone are the days when delivery was synonymous with just ordering a pizza.

7. Mental health ?

The oft-discussed but largely unaddressed mental health crisis in our country has been the root of many of our ills. Unfortunately for many, a year and a half of anxiety caused by the pandemic and near isolation from the outside world were the tipping point. Recent studies noted a three-fold increase in depression during the pandemic, more substance abuse, and a significant jump in anxiety symptoms.

If there is silver lining, with such a large percentage of the population experiencing stress symptoms, industry leaders could focus on dealing with ongoing mental health maintenance, and erase the stigma around more intensive treatment when needed in the post-COVID world.

8. Togetherness ?

The COVID-19 pandemic made us realize the importance of many simple things we might’ve previously took for granted.

Be it a visit with an aging parent, a night out with friends, or a collective experience with thousands at a music venue or sporting event, it’s clear now that simply being with one another is one of our most cherished pastimes. For many of us, as cities continue to open up, hugs are sweeter, handshakes are warmer, and the act of being present in the moment is easier than ever.

We can expect a new appreciation for those little things to continue in the years ahead.