Covid-19 has inflicted tumultuous changes globally. It has called for extreme changes to the way we go about our daily lives. The highly infectious nature of Covid-19 has led to the implementation of social distancing measures, safe entry QR codes, and group size limitations. People have been forced to adapt to working from home and online classes. A plethora of Zoom calls have replaced traditional face-to-face interaction. Ultimately, we have all — in one way or another — conformed to the “new normal”.
However, the changes we have experienced may cause one to ponder, what will life be like post Covid?
We have acclimatized to the Covid-world exceptionally, so much so that some people may want certain aspects from the Covid-world to carry on to the post-Covid world. This is evidenced by a survey of 1800 people conducted by the Straits Times. Eight out of ten workers have stated that they prefer working from home or having flexible work arrangements. Alternatively, a mere one out of every 10 was eager to return to working at the office upon the government’s announcement on Sept 28 that employees were allowed to return to the office. The unenthusiasm regarding returning to traditional work can be attributable to numerous factors inclusive of: concerns regarding the safety of the work environment, worries about the daily commute, and the discomfort of having to wear a mask throughout the work day.
Ultimately, this introduces the question, is physically going to work and school still necessary?
In order to further explore this idea, we must ask ourselves what are we missing out by continuing to work and study from home? Is it being able to chat with fellow classmates during a five minute lecture break? Or perhaps other aspects such as attending physical co-curricular meetings, engaging in cultural activities, and playing sports? Arguably, the most prominent aspect that comes to mind is the lack of physical human interaction.
Video conferencing platforms such as Zoom have been crucial throughout this pandemic as it has reshaped the way in which we go about meetings, classes, and interacting with others. It has allowed for interaction and continued communication between hundreds of individuals simultaneously. Although we are able to communicate with our professors, colleagues, friends, and family virtually through platforms such as Zoom, it is not wholly equivalent to interacting with people face-to-face.
Despite the convenience that video conferencing tools offer, they often fail to incorporate aspects of communication aside from verbal communication such as the inclusion of clearly visible body language. Traditionally, it is notably easier to identify and decipher subtle body language cues in person opposed to over video. Picture this, you’re in a Zoom call for a tutorial and the tutor poses a question to the class. An excessively long, awkward pause commences. Some people think, “I’ll be quiet for a bit and if no one speaks, then I will answer the question.” Subsequently, a jumble of indecipherable voices speak simultaneously followed by words of encouragement — urging one another to speak first. Instances such as this do not occur as frequently in real life. Arguably, this is a result of our innate ability to comprehend nuances of a discussion in a social physical setting.
More difficulties arise when it comes to collaborating through online platforms. Some are concerned that video conferencing is not as effective as face-to-face meetings — which can be exacerbated by potential connectivity issues. Individuals are unable to speak simultaneously and maintain multiple streams of conversations. Furthermore, interacting with and talking to people you have only met through a screen can be slightly awkward and intimidating at times. The lack of physical, natural human interaction has made it significantly more difficult to befriend people and expand one’s social circle. To a greater extent, some find themselves feeling isolated from a greater student body and instead living in isolation. As such, some individuals worry about the possibility of deteriorating social and communication skills due to the lack of regular interaction.
However, the post-Covid world may be coming sooner than we think. On Dec 21, Singapore became the first country in Asia to have obtained Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines. Additional doses of Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Sinovac are expected to arrive in 2021. A survey conducted by The Straits Times found that eight in ten are willing to acquire the Covid-19 vaccine if available. Considering that the vaccinations will be free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents, and that only 20 percent illustrated hesitation regarding vaccination, it is probable that the expansive impacts of Covid-19 in Singapore will come to an end.
Ultimately, who knows if things will completely revert to life prior to the pandemic? I for one believe that the future holds an amalgamation of the pre-covid and covid-world. There are evidently pros and cons to both worlds and I believe that idealistically, the post-covid world will incorporate the best of both worlds.