I grew up as a latch-key kid in New York City and remember ‘The Blizzard of 1996’, “The Blackout of 2003”, and will never forget the chaos of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Now, in 2020, the city has once again been slowed to a near-sudden halt in ways that no New Yorker could’ve anticipated for better or worse. What started as a Shelter-in-Place order has become #ClubQuarintine for some in the city that never sleeps to distract from the fears mounting up with the ever-increasing death toll. Leaving millions living under lockdown to question ‘what’s next’ if we survive this historic event, as we did others before.
Not to worry, I’m not here to tell you which stocks to avoid, memes to share, or politicians to support. Although, after some serious review, I did notice some patterns from past events that could inform how things can unfold in the US when we reemerge from this “global game of cooties” to resume BAU.
Here Are My Top 10 Predictions For Life #WhenCoronaVirusIsOver
10. An Increased Death-Positive Awareness.
Last year saw a rise in the rebranding of death to include end-of-life doulas, death cafes (casual get-togethers where people chat about dying), burial alternatives, estate planning lawyers, and a growing number of people who are living their best life by embracing death.
9. An Increase in Homeschooling & WFH.
Working from home will become more common but so will homeschooling. Reduced carbon footprints from fewer school busses and commuter travel can downsize overcrowded classrooms and physical office spaces, potentially saving money on all fronts. Not just for kids but virtual classrooms for teens and adults.
8. More Electric Cars, Buses, & Bikes.
The coronavirus pandemic has been a tragedy for everything else but the environment. From New York to Los Angeles the fog of pollution has lifted to the point that the ozone layer is repairing itself, even global carbon emissions have fallen. Thanks to the shutdown of economic activity, the drastic reduction in the use of fossil fuels, invites us to take advantage of the progress.
7. Financially Wiser and Savvy Investors.
Some Americans recently woke to their debts and student loans being forgiven, closed or interest-free. Creating an opportunity out of the crisis (with a clean slate) to learn the importance of savings and how to make smarter investments.
6. A Rise In Domestic Tourism.
With all these electric modes of travel, monetary mindfulness and caution around recent travel restrictions, this may cause weekend gateway road trips to take off.
5. Improved Work-Life Balance.
With more people working from home, coming into the office will require more incentives around mental and physical health.
4. A Temporary Dip in Imported Goods.
Having become more cautious, domestic manufacturing will become popular as local shops become digitized with apps, delivery services, and geo-targeting.
3. Spike in Freelancers & Remote Offices.
Due to more people working from home, companies will gain confidence in hiring cheaper workers who traditionally weren’t hired because they couldn’t afford to live near the office. Thus, getting NYC level work at Alabama prices.
2. A Greater Acceptance of 5G.
Our recent (heavier than usual) reliance on technology revealed how much of our work can be completed online and how ripe we are for optimization. Many people were skeptical of technology’s 5th generation (5G) industrial revolution and how it could impact the digital divide but, implemented right, this could be the next tech boom the economy needed. Think about it. More robots doing the work means fewer germs to come in contact with.
1. Inflation
Say it ain’t so. I know that it’s healthier to get good news but the reality is every time the market suffers, we pay the price until the value goes up. It happened after 9/11 and after the housing bubble popped. Even after Hurricane Katrina victims had to pay a tax on their relief aide, some having no choice but to sell their homes, causing the greatest displacement and gentrification model of the past 20 years. Uncle Sam always gets his.
What’s important to remember about this prediction is that it’s my hopeful opinion of the best-case scenario, with all things considered. Being mindful that this is temporary, even the word “quarantine” originates from quarantena, (Venetian) meaning “forty days.” It is written that this will end. Already, there are reasons to be optimistic and grateful that you have 40 days to create loving memories with the family, time to call distant relatives, create a new habit, or just enjoy the apartment you pay so much rent to live in. This is the moment to create the future.
