The Novel Coronavirus pandemic came out of the blue and completely changed how the world went about its every day living. It is true that pandemics are generally disruptive and make way for large-scale upheavals. However, the COVID-19 pandemic can be considered accountable for revolutionizing how the human race functioned up until its outbreak. Not only will it have a long-lasting impact on how we behave physically, the Novel Coronavirus pandemic will change how we think about most of the things in our lives. It is expected to alter our perception of the living experience altogether.

The highly infectious virus has claimed millions of lives across the world and continues to do so, without any vaccine ready to fight its spread yet. It has brought about a mental health epidemic for the global population who were largely unprepared to counter the sudden changes that the pandemic effected onto their lifestyle. Several people lost their livelihood during the lockdown measures that were followed in different parts of the world to stem the spread of the COVID-19 infection. Entire industries collapsed and still more are looking at being wiped out due to the pandemic and how the post-pandemic world will likely be.

Acceptance is Key

While most of us want nothing more than to return back to our normal lives i.e. the lives we led before the COVID-19 outbreak, a way back may not be possible. Resuming the lives that we were habituated to pre-pandemic might seems like a comforting prospect. However, we need to come to terms with the fact that the road back to that life may no longer exist. Indeed, the post-pandemic world can be expected to be a lot different from the world we had become accustomed to, before it. Every institution in existence is expected to feel the brunt of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic. The government, work, travel and leisure all need to transform themselves to keep pace with the times.

How We Engage in Social Interaction Will Change Radically

Our lives will become even more tech-driven after the pandemic is over. Citizens of every age group are currently familiarizing themselves with smart technology around the world, so that they can communicate with their loved ones with the help of their devices. The strict enforcement of social distancing norms has forced the closure of restaurants, pubs, movie theaters and other public facilities where community gatherings were made possible. Governments and health authorities have recommended people to stay home unless essential. In such a social climate, public gatherings are no longer allowed nor are they desired for their potential to be hotspots of virus transmission.

Remote networking is growing in favor as an alternative to in-person meetings and hangouts. People are beginning to realize this. They are recognizing that they will need to learn how to keep in touch with their loved ones using modern communication technology. Even individuals who prefer to do it the old-fashioned way. Following social distancing practices will impact meeting friends and family in person, even in the rare occasions that such occurs.

The Way We Work Will Possibly Have Changed for the Better

The global novel coronavirus lockdowns necessitated the closure of public and private workspaces for almost every industry sector. Employees engaged in work which could be completed remotely were asked to telecommute to their workspaces online. As a result, “work from home”, which was only an option offered as a privilege to company employees became the standard safety measure all employees of such companies were instructed to follow. Individuals employed in these companies realized that the work that they’d possibly been doing for years, could be completed just as well from the comfort of their own houses. They did not need to subject themselves to their regular office commute. While some people perceived the time they were now spending working from home as a means to achieving better work-life balance, others discarded it for how isolated they felt from their office peers.

The Concept of a “Work Day” Might Disappear Altogether

Either way, the pandemic put a spotlight on the importance of having necessary infrastructure for enabling remote work in companies. Businesses which didn’t already have the technological tools and know-how to facilitate remote operations really suffered for it. They are currently engaged in building up this infrastructure to cut future losses. Market experts believe this is a wise decision on their part as the post-pandemic world will register an increased demand for remote work opportunities. More and more organizations can be expected to hire employees who will be allowed to work entirely remotely, shall they please. The concept of a “work day” in itself is slated to undergo a massive transformation, as companies increasingly begin to provide employees with the benefit of working flexible hours.

The Education Sector Will Become Unrecognizable

The traditional classroom is on its way out. E-learning may have already been on the upswing, but the COVID-19 pandemic has struck a decisive nail on the coffin for traditional classroom learning. The closure of schools, colleges and universities have moved all learning online. Lectures are now being delivered by professors on live video streaming platforms and academic school and college courses are being offered digitally. Not only is the medium of delivering academic lessons changing, entirely new educational ecosystems are being formed.

On the whole, academia is becoming less formal and more accessible for students. For e.g.: Educational institutions are beginning to extend students with the freedom to engage in flexi-learning, where they can study their course on their own time. Essentially, this means that students can now log in to their virtual classrooms from practically any part of the world anytime and trade notes with their peers located on a different geographical hemisphere.

Non-traditional Learning Approaches Will Be Favored

In addition to the changes in traditional learning exercises, self-learning will gain further in popularity. The global pandemic lockdown enforced already registered an increase in the number of people signing themselves up for online academic and skill-training courses. The COVID-19 lockdowns enforced as a safety precaution to safeguard the health and well-being of the people by governments across the world brought the global marketplace down on its knees. As industries had to grind their operations to a halt, management teams all over businesses had to cut down several jobs in their organizations to keep their business enterprises afloat. Hiring was frozen across companies and it was widely understood that the next market Recession was underway.

Individuals about to enter the job market or those who found themselves laid off realized the need for upskilling themselves to make themselves job-ready in such an economic climate. Consequently, e-learning services and course providers found themselves subject to unprecedented demand and continue to do so. The trend is unlikely to change anytime soon. Flexible digital learning will probably replace traditional classroom learning in the years to come after the pandemic.

How We Entertain Ourselves in Our Leisure Will Now Be Different

The Novel Coronavirus pandemic has instilled an appreciation for the outdoors and nature in people. We often forget to appreciate nature in our busy city lives, rushing from one engagement to another. However, the Novel Coronavirus has forced all of us to slow down our busy lifestyle. Air quality has improved in several areas spanning the civilized world with the severe limiting of traffic on the roads. The public has been forced indoors to observe social distancing and this forcible stay indoors has helped them cultivate a fondness for the outdoors. It is almost like our society is now perceiving nature with a different set of eyes. Even individuals who would never leave the comfort of their homes for a walk around the neighborhood are committing to running routines in their locality. All in effort to break the monotony of isolating within their homes at all times.

On the downside, commercial avenues for public gathering such as theatres and concert venues are shutting down. Content streaming platforms are receiving more business than ever and industry experts believe that even in the post-pandemic world, home-entertainment will continue to be preferred over attending live community events. Medical experts have warned that even after the world becomes risk-free of any more immediate COVID-19 cases, the virus will continue to linger around. Community events and gatherings will continue to be unsafe and inadvisable.

Local Travel Will Trump International Travel

The tourism industry, too, will suffer inordinately. At the peak of the global pandemic lockdowns, all travel was banned. As the lockdowns eased, gradually local and international travel was made permissible. Even now, most countries are not permitting international travel and even if they are, only essential travel is being allowed.

Nobody has taken a vacation for leisure in a long time and there is little hope for the situation to change in 2020. Travel and tourism operators and the hospitality sector are trying their best to tide over these times, but their woes are unlikely to end anytime soon. Traveling for work or leisure will decrease in volume in the years following up the COVID-19 pandemic, especially internationally. Local travels will be preferred instead, following strict hygiene and safety norms. Hotels and businesses that can provide ample opportunities for social distancing and following health safety regulations will profit over those who don’t.

The Only Way Ahead is Forward

Yes, the world will have changed after the Novel Coronavirus pandemic and so we will have too! Resisting this change will only make it more difficult for us to acclimatize and adjust to the new ways of leading our lives. The best possible approach for us to take now, is to keep an open mind and embrace the transformations we notice being introduced into our life. Afterall, any changes being brought about will be devised keeping our societal betterment and wellbeing in perspective.

Source – https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-five-things-that-will-never-be-the-same-again-because-of-covid-19-11968739

The other day when I went to the nearby grocery store, the hand sanitizer racks were empty. Upon querying one of the staff, I came to know that they are re-stocking. Something similar was found to be with toilet papers and face masks. It was a scary feeling, maybe the world was supposed to end in 2020 and not in 2012, as rumored according to the Mayan calendar.

Stores without toilet paper looked unreal. This pandemic revealed how under-prepared we were in such critical times. Covid-19 brought the world to a complete stop. It is giving us all a lesson we should carry forth. The lesson of how well prepared our health systems should be during a pandemic, where, lockdowns will be a new reality. Stocking of medical supplies will become imperative.

Yes, the pandemic was teaching us what we forgot to gear up for while paying our bills and working throughout the day and night. We forgot that health should get prime importance, and having personal health management kits are worth paying for- above paying for that streaming app subscription.

Pandemic impact and the ripple effect

The spread of the virus has been rapid, almost grew uncontrollably. While countries have closed their border to restrict the further spread of the virus, masses at large have struggled to stock food and medical supplies.

The frontline workers have seen a tough time handling pools of patients. Operating hours shot up, and medical centers made efforts to align required equipment to handle increasing patient load. Most countries have struggled hard despite, having highly advanced health apparatus in place.

As soon as the Covid 19 became global, we were left on our own with instructions of hand sanitizing and social distancing. It was unfortunate to see that during these most crucial times, many tall claims collapsed. The protocols to follow during a pandemic were shared as the pressure of Covid numbers grew. Full body sanitization, face shields, and protective gears were brought much later, as the virus kept growing strong. The impact has been severe, and beyond perception.

Stocking up medical supplies

Hospitals and medical facilities were over-burdened, so stocking up medical supplies that were more than the first-aid kits was mandatory. Since pandemics don’t come with a warning, preparedness goes a long way. And lockdowns required us to stay indoors. I stocked these supplies before and during the pandemic to be safe at home.

Primary medical stocking supplies —

1. Hand sanitizers: The most sought-after product during the pandemic, hand sanitizers were not easy to procure. Stores made frantic efforts to keep the shelves filled with alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Since, at the least sanitizers with 60% alcohols were required to effectively kill the microbes, procuring a good amount of sanitizers was first on the must-do list.
2. Surface cleaners, liquids: The coronavirus could survive for 12-14 hours. Hence, buying good quality alcohol-based surface cleaners was also a priority. I also ensured that all other types of cleaning liquids like car cleaners- kitchen and bath cleaners are stocked at home.
3. Facemasks: Masking face has become a new normal. Covering the lower half of the face for personal and social safety is the need of the hour. Therefore, stocking the required number of facemasks (better if reusable) is highly advised.
4. Disposable or reusable gloves: We are touching so many things every minute. Laptop, kitchen counter, refrigerator, glass, cushions, and whatnot. When we go out, the number of things we touch multiplies. Having the stock of disposable gloves is necessary- if the gloves are sustainable and can be reused, then it will add to the health of the planet too.

Secondary medical stocking supplies –

1. Soaps: Soaps are easily available in every store. Also, the supply of soap is quite stable and they are less harsh on hands due to the absence of alcohol in their formation. Soaps were good companions to take a break from alcohol-based products.
2. Protective gears: Frontline workers like doctors, nurses, and support staff have worn layers of protective gears to fight against the pandemic. It was a good step to stock protective gear like clothing, goggles, face shield, & headcover.
3. Medicines for fever, cough, and headache: Being unsure of what next, stocking over the counter medicines for fever, cough, and headache will surely help. Keeping these medicines handy is beneficial, especially when the total lockdowns can last for weeks.
4. Ointments and pain spray: Ointments for muscle sprains or pains should not be missed. What if I sprain my ankle while running to grab hold of the sanitizer? Thus, keeping a good stock of such essentials is necessary.
5. Bandages and wraps: Keeping bandages for cuts and wraps for compression of sprained muscles during the pandemic has some benefits. Sprains and twists happen without warning (just like the pandemic). Stocking bandages and compression wraps for quick use is wise, far better than seeing doctors in precarious times.

Things to avoid

When everyone is impacted and we can expect a shortage of supplies, so the first thing to avoid was panic buying. Restocking of commodities normally happens every week, hence thinking that the world will end without the toilet paper or sanitizers was unwise, so I preferred to wait. Meanwhile, I tried contacting multiple local dealers and traveled a little far for a stock load of sanitizer.

Paying less heed to the norms like social distancing, while advising others to stay away from me, was quite impractical. Hence, I almost calculated the steps for standing away from people and followed social distancing, religiously.

Holding on for some time at the billing counter was rewarding too. And, avoiding to touch every other product at the display outlet was an effort to be safe during the pandemic. I ensured to clean the surface of each product after buying to avoid the risk of contraction. Wiped clean all commodities and sanitized my hands, afterward to ensure that I did my bit to be safe and keep others safe around me.

The story so far

Even natural calamities like tornadoes and cyclones come with a warning. They destruct and leave. However, this pandemic launched a vicious attack on us, without any warning, unleashing a colossal impact. Virulent diseases have occurred in the past, as well, for example, the Spanish flue of 1918s, when millions succumbed to it.

On similar patterns, the Covid-19 has impacted the people at large. Scores have come under its impact across the world, no country is spared. There are citywide lockdowns and halting of business activities for weeks to control the active transmission.

Government departments and frontline workers are working, day and night to reduce the impact. Pandemic such as this has prompted us to contemplate future implications. We see, that we are not prepared enough to handle pandemics.

Being careful and prepared

Being in the year 2020, our health systems are functioning on traditional lines. The doctor to patient ratio requires to be increased and so does the protocols for people, arriving in health facilities every day.

The more we prepare, the more our coming generations will stay safe. Pandemic has brought in protocols such as social distancing and hygiene in focus. Things, which are taught to preschoolers, but not followed when they become adults.

A significant observation during these times, when we all are running to stock essentials to stay indoors under lockdowns. While stocking the medical supplies and other commodities, I ponder upon how we should be using our common sense more often.

Why Should You Stockpile Supplies?

Stockpiling items for a potential emergency in the future has now become a major public concern. Recurring instances of natural disasters and pandemics have prompted people to plan and stock supplies for the upcoming months. While food and drink are on everyone’s priority list, there are other things that should be stored to weather a crisis period. In this article, we shall look at some such useful survival items:

1.Toilet Paper: Accumulating toilet paper in large quantities is especially useful if you have a large family and live together. Although you can collect toilet paper in small amounts from a local convenience store, you purchase them in bulk from warehouse stores.

2. Soap: A bar soap is inexpensive to procure and can be helpful in many ways. You can purchase ivory soaps since they do not contain dyes or perfumes.

3. Feminine Hygiene Products: Gathering feminine hygiene care products that would last atleast four weeks should be a priority for all women. Local stores will have these products at usual prices before a crisis. However, if prices are high and supply is limited, you can look online or at a warehouse store for buying products in bulk for all female members in your family.

4. Cooking Oil: Oil is a necessary ingredient for nutrition and overall health. Stacking enough cooking oil for a long term should be considered if you anticipate not being able to go to your grocery store for a while in the future. You can store olive oil and use it for cooking, preparing any remedy, in candles, or for emergency lighting needs.

5. Disinfectants: These can come handy at any point during an emergency. Alcohol wipes and hand sanitizers should be stocked so you can ensure that your surfaces remain clean. Liquid bleach can help with disinfecting contaminated water and is also affordable. Chlorine bleach may also be useful- however, since they have a shorter shelf life, ensure that you are not relaying on just one container.

6. Tarps: Tarps can be used in many ways during an emergency. In case of natural disasters, tarps can be used to cover a broken surface like a window or to protect your windshield. You can use a plastic tarp to collect rainwater or as a shelter. Tarps are lightweight, easy to carry, and can be reused.

7. Batteries: After any calamity, AA and AAA batteries are highly sought after for use in flashlights, clocks, or radios. Like most products, they become expensive and difficult to procure after a disaster happens. Plan and stock batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D, 9 volt, and CR2332. Rechargeable batteries are also affordable and can be fully used upon charging.

8. Lighters and matches: BIC lighters can run of out fuel or break under force. Have dozens of these items in your stockpile since you may need them especially if there is no power. You should also keep matches handy in case lighters are not available. Matchboxes are cheap and easily stackable.

9. Zip Ties: Zip ties or cable ties serve a variety of purposes in the home. They help with gear repair, luggage restraint and temporarily fixing broken things like taps. Because of the diverse ways in which they can be used, buy plenty of zip ties and in different sizes.

10. Vinyl gloves: In addition to gloves used for performing heavy tasks, disposable vinyl gloves are also useful for stockpiling. Nylon or latex gloves can be used to clean debris, treat injuries, and carry out other light tasks.

11. Duct tape: Duct tapes are one of the most versatile items to have in your home. You can use a duct tape to build a shelter, fix broken surfaces, make repairs on bottles or tarps, and create bandages. You could also use them to make sticky notes for a message or a signal to attract help. Check out this link to learn more about the different ways you can use duct tape: https://urbansurvivalsite.com/20-uses-for-duct-tape/

12. Face Masks: Masks can help you in case you need to visit a clinic or admit a family member to a hospital. They also help during an epidemic by preventing the transmission of an infection. Standard hospital face masks made with two pieces of fabric provide good protection, are affordable, and can be stacked easily.

13. Personal medication: If you take a certain medicine daily, ensure that you have enough in stock for a long time. Have aspirin, ibuprofen, and painkillers to help with aches. In addition, stack over-the-counter medicines like cough syrups, ointments, digestive pain relievers, hydrogen peroxide, and rubbing alcohol.

14. Bandages: Always have a first-aid supply kit ready before a disaster happens. Elastic support bandages can be obtained from your nearest convenience store. Adhesive bandages and gauze bandages are inexpensive and can help especially in case there is no power.

15. Aluminium Foil: Aluminium foil can be used not just for keeping food safe and warm. You can use the reflective qualities of aluminium to make solar ovens. Aluminium foil can also be used as food containers to store water.

16. Dental Hygiene Products: Remember to stockpile oral hygiene products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouth fresheners. An item like dental floss can be used for doing repairs on backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags since it is hardy and waterproof.

17. Candles: Candles can be found in almost any market and can be stacked easily in a shoe box or a small cabinet.

18. Chap Stick: Chap Sticks are often ignored while stockpiling essential items for disaster preparedness. If your lips are cracked and start to bleed, they might cause an infection when you are in a survival situation. Since Chap Sticks are made of petroleum jelly, they can be used along with cotton balls to light a fire. Apply it on metal to prevent rust, or on minor wounds to stop bleeding.

19. Garbage bags: You can improvise various uses for a garbage bag. Collect water in it, make a shelter with it or even a rain gear.

20. Sewing items: Sewing supplies are useful for bartering in survival situations. Make sure to buy needles, thread rolls, and safety pins. A sturdy scissor would be a helpful addition to your stockpile.

21. Socks: Clean and dry socks can protect and keep your feet warm in survival situations. You can get socks in large quantities for an affordable price online or at hosiery stores.

22. Regular and emergency blankets: In case of changes in weather conditions, blankets are necessary for comfort and warmth. An emergency blanket is made from BoPET which reflects body heat back on itself thereby reducing heat lost due to convection. Emergency blankets can be reused, are expensive and last longer than other blankets.

23. Ponchos: Ponchos are affordable, lightweight, and versatile gears. They can be used for making a stretcher, providing shelter, and collecting water. Hardware stores supply them at inexpensive prices.

24. Coffee Filters: Keep a stack of coffee filters so that you can use them as funnels, filters, or as fire starters.

25. Cotton Balls: Cotton balls are a useful stockpiling item since they can treat wounds, start fires, help with your hygiene needs, and can be used as candle wicks.

26. Snacks: Although you cannot stack meat and vegetables for a very long time, you can store dry food items for quite some time. Nuts, cookies, chips, energy bars, and cakes could satisfy your hunger during crisis situations.

27. Safety Pins: Buy safety pins in large amounts so you can perform small and temporary repairs.

28. Baby Wipes: If you have a toddler, you might need a big collection of these. If water is scarce, then baby wipes can also be used for household cleaning chores. If your wipes are drying out in long-term storage, you can add some water to make them moist and functional for your purpose.

29. Supplies for your pets: If you have pets, procure pet supplies atleast a month in advance. Items like food, pet leash and collar, and litter boxes may be difficult to find at the eleventh hour and could be relatively more expensive to buy.

30. GI medicines: GI problems occur most commonly after disasters. Examples include illnesses caused by drinking contaminated water or due to unhygienic environmental conditions. Keep a separate stack of GI medication in addition to your first-aid kit and personal medicines.

31. Water Purifying Tablets: Water purifying tablets are small and should be added to purify drinking water in case your water gets contaminated. You can also purchase sodium ascorbate crystals as a water purifying substance.

32. Insect repellant: Stocks of insect repellant creams and bug sprays can help if you are stuck in a wooded area and are unable to leave for some time.

33. Chain and rope: Objects such as chains, ropes, bungee cords, and clotheslines are inexpensive and can be used for bartering during an emergency scenario. In addition to drying clothes, you could use ropes and chain for temporarily tying together broken objects.

You can see that stocking up on survival gear doesn’t have to break the bank. Make a strategy and a budget, add some goals for where you want to be at the end of each month, and make it happen. If you’re looking for another list with more gear to stock up on check out our 30 under $30 survival gear list.