Life Changes; Permanent or Temporary?

[TheTimeTraveler]

Well Covid-19 has certainly made a lot of changes in life since March of 2020. What changes have you really noticed, and do you think these changes will now remain permanent even after the Vaccine is approved or the current Pandemic has ended?

Here are a few that I have noticed;



1). Doctor's visits; With rare exceptions you can no longer take someone with you to a Dr. appointment. Will this policy continue?

2). Retail Stores: Their store hours have been cutback or reduced. Will the profits be great enough for retailers to realize they don't need to be open 9 to 9 daily?

3). Airplane seating: Available seats have been reduced. Will better legroom be a result in a few years due to greater spacing and new plane configurations?

4). Voting; Many will be voting by mail this year. Will standing at the ballot box become a thing of the past?

5). Real Estate: Prices have fallen in cities, yet up in the burbs. Will this pace continue, with housing prices continuing to surge?

6). Masks; Will some folks continue to wear masks long after the pandemic is behind us?

7). Toilet paper: If we have another surge will we again have a shortage of toilet paper or have most folks salted away months of supplies at this point?

8). Cruise ships: Will folks return to them or not because of fear of being stranded at sea or on board illnesses?

9). Road construction; Will road building and improvements now become concentrated outside major cities due to serious traffic issues in the suburbs?




These are just the tip of the iceberg. Feel free to contribute any that you can think of.




.

 

[Big Matt]

I'm not convinced a vaccine is coming, but let's just say that there is one, but it isn't 100% fool proof. With that, I think that:
1, 2, 3, 7 will be back to normal.

4 - We need to get to either by mail or on-line/phone at some point, I think this is a move in the right direction
5 - People are going to move even farther away as people continue to work from home. Suburbs will radiate out, and people in big cities will look for small cities and towns
6 - This will remain part of our population just as it is in Asia
8 - The cruise industry is in trouble going forward
9 - Yes, but an even more interesting part of this is that toll revenues have dropped and won't come back. Money to fix infrastructure is going to be hard to come by due to this.

and yes.........most people will continue to work from home. It's a simple math problem for companies who lease commercial real estate.

 

[Monykalyn]

I don't think either masks nor work from home will stick around for most. Perhaps masks WILL be used more though, during flu season or when one has a cold and needs to go out etc.
Less than 30% is estimated to be able to continue permanently work from home.
Cruising will take a couple years to come back, as will entire hospitality industry, airlines are already back to packing planes-and even those who have put off the middle seat open policy will eventually go back to allowing it.
Agree we need to get to more online/not in person voting eventually.
Retail stores-many brick and mortar places were already in trouble prior to covid, so doubt this is coming back.
Dr visits-already seeing a relaxation here too, but restricted in ED/urgent care I can see continuing to be restricted. Which is frustrating -you really need extra eyes/ears in that situation (had an issue with my daughter not getting adequate care in August that would not have happened had I been allowed to go back with her-but she's 22...)
Sheesh I hope road construction continues-so many roads are in bad shape-that report a year or so ago about "structurally deficient' bridges (meaning needing help but not -yet-unsafe) will only continue to get worse.

I am hoping the more spaced out waiting lines etc do stick around in some form-even if not as far apart as now. LOVE not having people literally on my heels (and breathing down my neck) while waiting in a line somewhere!!

I also think "contactless" delivery, or curbside delivery will stick around, as will more ordering (and incentive) from phone apps.

 

[Talent312]

1). Doctor's Visits: I, for one, have no issues attending Dr. visits with my DW.
2). Retail Stores: Hours will be back to normal sometime in 2021.
3). Airplane Seating: With reduced fleets, planes will be as crowded as they ever were.
4). Voting: No issue with vote-by-mail, but we'll vote early, in person.
... As a retiree, we can stand in line well-after the cows come home.,
5). Real Estate: Home is where the heart is... Prices will rise.
6). Masks: They'll be uncommon, but won't be thought of as abe-normal.
7). Toilet paper: No foreseeable shortage, but leave a roll for Santa Claus under the tree.
8). Cruise Ships: Gone are the heyday of cruising; only diehards and fools will cruise.
9). Road Construction: Road construction is the lifeblood of cities everywhere.

.

 

[isisdave]

As cruising is starting to try to come back in some places, the only shore activities allowed are those organized by the cruise line. We don't ever take those because they're usually not what we're looking for (and too expensive), so transatlantics (which we do like) might be the only ones for us. But only if there's an effective vaccine, and after we've seen how "new cruising" is working out.

 

[bizaro86]

For (5) I think that trend will continue, but more because of demographics than covid.

The millennials are becoming the largest generation as the baby boomers begin to have age related issues. And millennials are now 30s, prime years for having kids and buying a house in the suburbs.

 

[Glenn2]

1.) Doctors Visits - back to normal, post vaccine
2.) Retail - in search of revenue, hours will revert to pre -virus, unless there is little demand
3.) Airplane seating - back to packed planes, airlines just like any other business needs to maximize profit for shareholders sake
4.) Voting - most people once they start voting by mail, will continue to do so due to the convenience. It's also more cost efficient.
5.) Real Estate - a sellers market for a while
6.) Masks - now part of our culture
7.) Toilet Paper - no more shortages
8.) Cruise Ships - big time comeback, post vaccine
9.) Road construction - no different, always a PITA

 

[Synergy]

Can't tell if I'm a diehard or a fool, but I expect us to return to cruising someday. I would tell you it's mostly because we're cheap - we can always get three or four nights on an alcohol included rate for less than a thousand bucks, sometimes as little as $500. We've been exclusively staying in timeshares since this started, too be able to keep our distance easily, but I'm theoretically comfortable with the idea of getting back on a ship someday.

As for the rest... Hard to say. I hope to hell that wearing a mask when you're ill instead of chugging dayquil becomes a thing. I'd prefer they stay home - I think that will be more common too - but I'll settle for limiting transmission with a mask. I've voted by mail for as long as I can remember, that's nothing new here. I'm hopeful that all airlines will eventually freely allow the purchase of an additional seat, that's our 'secret' poor man's first class anyway. I do think that some industries will offer more work from home positions than we've seen before, and that will have some impact on urban/suburban/small town/rural movement. I don't think it'll be a huge impact, but it will exist. Oh, doctor's visits alone? Definitely not permanent, and not even a thing everywhere now. I've been able to accompany my father to appointments throughout this.

 

[controller1]

1). Doctor's visits: We have already seen lax or no enforcement of this even when the policy is posted. I believe this will go away as it is too important for some people to have someone with them who can be a better advocate for them.

2). Retail Stores: The stores' hours will be whatever the store believes will provide them a competitive advantage or to maximize their profits. The only true reason store hours were reduced was due to a lack of staff. It was not due to the need to disinfect as many stores said!

3). Airplane seating: Huh? Only two airlines are limiting seats and they've already announced end dates for those.

4). Voting: This one may stick. There is no need to go to a centralized location to have a senior citizen (I am one) do a cursory check to ensure you are who you say you are. There are electronic ways of doing this online.

5). Real Estate: In a few years 2020 will be just a blip in the ten-year average of prices.

6). Masks: I don't believe this will be widespread in the U.S. but yes I believe some will continue to wear masks which is somewhat strange because the types of masks most wear only protect others, not themselves.

7). Toilet paper: Back to normal.

8). Cruise ships: Back to normal in a few years. Those who loved cruises will eventually get back on a ship. Those who don't like cruises will continue to say "That's not for me" but have additional ammunition to attack the cruiser by saying "I would never get on one of those bacteria carrying Petri dishes."

9). Road construction: Road construction will continue to follow the population centers but also continue to be severely hampered by a lack of funds.

 

[controller1]

I do think that some industries will offer more work from home positions than we've seen before, and that will have some impact on urban/suburban/small town/rural movement.

I would not want to be a landlord with an office building because increased vacancies could be on the horizon. I believe many professional services organizations have discovered during the pandemic they do not need an office for each person in their 20-person organization. Perhaps all they need on-site is a couple of administrative people and 3-4 conference rooms. Day-to-day business can be performed at home and when a face-to-face meeting is needed with a client the conference room is ready. The investment in the equipment to make this happen had to be made to continue operating during the pandemic. I think several will be made permanent. My financial advisor told me they've already been told they will still be working at home through January, 2021, and an decision will be made at that time to determine how to proceed.

 

[TravelTime]

Here are some of my opinions.

1). Doctor's visits; With rare exceptions you can no longer take someone with you to a Dr. appointment. Will this policy continue?

I doubt this will continue. A few months ago, doctors were all doing virtual appointments. Now doctors are back in the office. Things will return to normal.

2). Retail Stores: Their store hours have been cutback or reduced. Will the profits be great enough for retailers to realize they don't need to be open 9 to 9 daily?

If they can make the same profit with reduced hours, this will continue. However, when everyone goes back to working in the office during the day, people will need to start shopping after work again. I predict reduced hours will not last.

3). Airplane seating: Available seats have been reduced. Will better legroom be a result in a few years due to greater spacing and new plane configurations?

Airplanes will continue to be crowded. They already are.

4). Voting; Many will be voting by mail this year. Will standing at the ballot box become a thing of the past?

Voting by Mal was already a trend. I think this will continue. Or at least hand delivering your ballot to the polling mailboxes. I think this has more to do with perceived fraud and USPS delays than with the pandemic.

5). Real Estate: Prices have fallen in cities, yet up in the burbs. Will this pace continue, with housing prices continuing to surge?

Housing will follow the same long term trends it always has.

6). Masks; Will some folks continue to wear masks long after the pandemic is behind us?

Some people will continue with masks but I think most people will relax this unless they are sick.

7). Toilet paper: If we have another surge will we again have a shortage of toilet paper or have most folks salted away months of supplies at this point?

We have enough toilet paper now. I do not think another Covid surge will affect toilet paper.

8). Cruise ships: Will folks return to them or not because of fear of being stranded at sea or on board illnesses?

Folks want to return to cruising. I don’t think the fear of getting sick on board or being stranded at sea will affect people who love cruising. I know it does not affect me at all.

9). Road construction; Will road building and improvements now become concentrated outside major cities due to serious traffic issues in the suburbs?

No, I think toad construction will be based on politics not where roads need to be repaired.

Other things I have noticed since March:

10) A surge in domestic violence, child abuse and mental illness. I do not think this will continue. It will return to baseline.

11) More older kids available for adoption due to fighting in the family. I do not think this will continue. It will return to baseline.

12) Remote and hybrid learning in public schools and stupid demands and excuses by teacher’s unions have caused public school image to take a huge hit. I think among the affluent, the shift to private schools will continue.

13) Use of Zoom and other videoconferencing for a wide variety of personal and professional activities. I think this will continue because it is super convenient and many meetings do as well over Zoom as in person.

 

[Monykalyn]

13) Use of Zoom and other videoconferencing for a wide variety of personal and professional activities. I think this will continue because it is super convenient and many meetings do as well over Zoom as in person.

I do think zoom will be used in place of alot of personal meetings but I really hope it does NOT take place of in person conferences/conventions etc. It is just not the same, nor do you have the number of contacts nor engagement. We are not made to live isolated from others, and reading body language, being able to skip from one convo to another making personal/professional contacts etc. is just too important to lose. So many industries use the conventions/conferences as a way to not only network, but also as a mini "vacation" and way to have a bit of fun. A company where employees feel connected by actual human face-to-face interaction will have happier/more satisfied employees in long run.

Zoom is a useful tool but it should be one of many ways to communicate.

 

[TravelTime]

I do think zoom will be used in place of alot of personal meetings but I really hope it does NOT take place of in person conferences/conventions etc. It is just not the same, nor do you have the number of contacts nor engagement. We are not made to live isolated from others, and reading body language, being able to skip from one convo to another making personal/professional contacts etc. is just too important to lose. So many industries use the conventions/conferences as a way to not only network, but also as a mini "vacation" and way to have a bit of fun. A company where employees feel connected by actual human face-to-face interaction will have happier/more satisfied employees in long run.

Zoom is a useful tool but it should be one of many ways to communicate.

I think Zoom/video will be used on a 50/50 basis. I agree with you. People still want to network in person and take a mini-vacation when they go to conferences. We have been meeting with our adoption counselor and mixing Zoom with in person sessions.

 

[Icc5]

In answering question #2 in the area I live many stores are open normally 24 hours and will go back to that. Years ago the big chains decided they wanted the market share and will go after it no matter what. That is why they are open on Sunday's with full hours and almost all holidays. They work the schedules so most stocking of shelves is done overnight and it takes very little to handle the shoppers during the off hours. Often skeleton crews are used on off hours to save.
As long as you have other stores and gas stations that sell groceries the big guys will be open.
Bart

 

[WinniWoman]

1.) Doctors Visits - it will return to normal
2.) Retail - back to normal
3.) Airplane seating - I think they will try to pack the planes again and I doubt I will fly more than once or twice agai in my lifetime as I hate it anyway
4.) Voting - I don't know but I am against voting by mail, though I think absentee ballots are ok for exceptions
5.) Real Estate - will eventually crash. The prices are ridiculous and I don't think the younger generation will be able to afford it once we all start dying off. Then again, they will be able to inherit some of our homes.
6.) Masks - I don't wear one now unless absolutely required and only for short periods of time. If others want to wear them- I really don't care. I'm not.
7.) Toilet Paper - No more shortages. I have pretty much eliminated using it now that I have my bidet attachments. Just use a little towel to dry myself. Save money, but then again a bit more water usage since we are mostly at home all the time.
8.) Cruise Ships - will come back. People love their cruising! I hear people talking about wanting to go on a cruise next year but ok, whatever. I have no interest in cruises anyway.
9.) Road construction -as long as there are funds, will continue. The infrastructure in this country needs a lot of updating.

Zoom - I hope not, though it has it's place in some situations like it did pre-COVID. We were supposeed to have our annual friends reunion this Fall and it has been cancelled. It's so ridiculous because most of the crew is related - (brothers and sisters and by marriage. They live in NY) and see each other reugularly anyway. There are just a couple of us that are not. My husband and I are from a low infection rate state. We would have gone to PA for it, and ironically the ones who decided to cancel it are the ones that see each other often anyway as they live near each other. I don't get it, but whatever. Zoom it is if they even do that. I am not sure anyone has the free account. Oh well....

My husband and his cousin from NY and BIL from Delaware are hoping to go hunting in NY this Fall. Can't do that via Zoom. LOL! Will see how things unfold...

 

[Talent312]

4.) Voting - I don't know but I am against voting by mail, though I think absentee ballots are ok for exceptions

Since you mentioned it (not trying to be contentious)...
Voting by mail is voting absentee, but w/o a lame excuse about something more important to do.

Five states (Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah & Washington) have used all-mail elections for years.
In these states, voting has been primarily by mail, and not changed just for this year.
Source: https://ballotpedia.org/All-mail_voting

I, too, prefer voting in person.
I could be snarky and say, "We all should have to risk COVID-19, equally."
But instead, I'll just say, "IMHO, it helps foster a sense of community."
,

 

[WinniWoman]

Since you mentioned it (not trying to be contentious)...
Voting by mail is voting absentee, but w/o a lame excuse about something more important to do.

Five states (Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah & Washington) have used all-mail elections for years.
In these states, voting has been primarily by mail, and not changed just for this year.
Source: https://ballotpedia.org/All-mail_voting

I, too, prefer voting in person.
I could be snarky and say, "We all should have to risk COVID-19, equally."
But instead, I'll just say, "IMHO, it helps foster a sense of community."
,

I have voted in primaries twice so far. It is perfectly safe.

Fact check: All mailed ballots — called 'absentee' and not — require voter verification

There is no substantive difference between "absentee" voting and "mail-in" voting.

www.usatoday.com

 

[SmithOp]

I am registered as permanent vote by mail in CA, never had an issue with it for over 15 years now.

This election its postage free, used to have to supply 2 stamps it was so heavy.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[rickandcindy23]

Since you mentioned it (not trying to be contentious)...
Voting by mail is voting absentee, but w/o a lame excuse about something more important to do.

Five states (Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah & Washington) have used all-mail elections for years.
In these states, voting has been primarily by mail, and not changed just for this year.
Source: https://ballotpedia.org/All-mail_voting

I, too, prefer voting in person.
I could be snarky and say, "We all should have to risk COVID-19, equally."
But instead, I'll just say, "IMHO, it helps foster a sense of community."
,

Presidential votes have been in person mostly in CO, as far as I know. I know they want to change that.

Since it took two weeks to the day to get a priority mail certified check from LT Transfers this month, I am wary and weary of the post office system. LT Transfers sent a tracking number and I followed the track of the letter from Georgia to Colorado. The letter sat in limbo in Cincinatti, OH for days. My stepdad received a gift from my nephew in July, and it took 30 days to get it. It was also sent priority mail with tracking. My nephew was very worried about the package. 30 days for a 2-3 day delivery guarantee. Ridiculous. That is 2 of 2, so I can see a huge problem with the post office right now.

 

[easyrider]

When the covid 19 rules first came out with social distancing for every one it set displays of affection and group gatherings into a no go zone. Weddings, funerals and all gatherings were called off. Most people abide with these strict rules. These rules loosened up for some people but for many people they didn't.

Nursing homes and hospitals seem to fall under State guidelines with very strict rules. I think these will be last places to change back to normal.

Last weekend we attended the Baptism of our great grandson. Usually this kind of event would be huge. Now these are a private small group affair. I think Churches will reopen when the States change the rules. I haven't been to a funeral or wedding this year so far but that is changing. I have two weddings that I will officiate soon. Both are planned as regular events with the full on party. Should be fun times.

I'm thinking it could be a three or four year time of restrictions for us unless a therapy is approved or Covid 19 disappears. Looking at the Spanish Flu it shows that government officials reopened everything a bit too fast and the sudden re openings were a reason the flu lasted so long and killed so many. Things will eventually go back to normal with a twist or two. Interesting times we live in.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

I am registered as permanent vote by mail in CA, never had an issue with it for over 15 years now.

This election its postage free, used to have to supply 2 stamps it was so heavy.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

In the primary election this year I was sent two ballots, lol. I could have voted twice but I didn't.

Bill

 

[clifffaith]

I am registered as permanent vote by mail in CA, never had an issue with it for over 15 years now.

This election its postage free, used to have to supply 2 stamps it was so heavy.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

That's how we are too. In fact I don't believe I've voted in person since the 1970s when the polling place was in my dorm.

 

[Luanne]

In the primary election this year I was sent two ballots, lol. I could have voted twice but I didn't.

Bill

You think you could have voted twice, but you couldn't. One of those ballots would have been invalidated. And in fact, both of them might have been.

 

[PigsDad]

You think you could have voted twice, but you couldn't. One of those ballots would have been invalidated. And in fact, both of them might have been.

We have had mail-in voting here in Colorado for years, and this is exactly how it works -- a verification process to ensure only one vote per registered voter will count. You can vote in person and mail-in, but only one will count. The manufactured FUD that is being falsely spread from the side that fears mail-in voting is ridiculous at best, criminal at worst.

Kurt

 

[Talent312]

We have voted both in-person and by-mail. In-person is more social.
While waiting last time, DW had a pleasant conversation with others.

For me, the issue with mail-voting is that results may be delayed.
Tuesday night beer, nachos & wings may be extended for days.
... Wait... That could be a good thing.
.


.