The coronavirus pandemic has been the highlight event for the year 2020. In the early days of the news of the virus, many people panicked as there was limited information about the contagiousness of the disease. More research was conducted with time, revealing that the virus spreads through contact with fluids like saliva and excretions from an infected person. The most pressing issue was the need to prevent the spread of the virus. Avoiding and limiting its spread was only possible through behavioral changes that impacted the economy, how people travel, and how they socialize. The behavioral changes and events from the coronavirus pandemic have changed how people view the government, the outside world, and each other.
Perception of the Government
The pandemic has impacted how people view the role that the government plays in their lives. The battle against the coronavirus made the federal, state, and local governments more visible than usual. Millions of people worldwide tuned in to daily briefings from government and health officials as they sought hope regarding a vaccine or a cure. The role that the government plays in everyone’s life became apparent as governments enforced measures that would limit the virus's spread. Government measures such as wearing masks and banning any public gathering were followed by millions of people all over the world.
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The pandemic made the importance of the government in having a healthy and well-functioning society more apparent. The perceptions of those that viewed the government as inherently wrong or evil changed. The economy and social order would have collapsed if the government had not guaranteed income for millions of workers that had lost their jobs. In the United States, the government used massive bailout packages to save the economy. It also enforced measures that postponed payments of student debt and mortgage debts. In a time of major recession or depression, it was clear that the government plays a central role in easing pain and suffering.
Perception of the Outside World
The perceptions of the outside world changed as people moved towards individualism and isolation. The virus was perceived to be present in the outside world, and people had to restrict their interactions. International relations changed as countries closed their borders and economies shifted from globalism to isolationism. Instead of nations taking a step to tackle the crisis together, they responded by stepping away from each other. Internal travel and most local travel were canceled as people focused on isolation. The service sector, such as travel-related industries, airlines, hotels, and tourist attractions, shut down as many people observed isolation and social distancing.
The perception of using online tools for work and learning has changed as people strive to limit their interaction with the outside world. In the past, many people resisted the use of online tools as they were considered antisocial. The pandemic has changed these perceptions as moving activities online has become indispensable. Those that once opposed using digital platforms for education and entertainment have changed their views. Parents today are more relaxed with their children spending several hours on their screens. Working from home has also been emphasized with the need to use online meetings. Video conferencing has become the first alternative to face-to-face meetings in the corporate world.
Perceptions of Each Other
The pandemic significantly changed how people viewed each other through shaking hands and being in enclosed places. Research on the virus showed that touching things, breathing air in an enclosed space, and being with other people is risky. The awareness made it difficult to shake hands with different people or to touch different objects. Previous forms of greeting through handshakes or hugs have been replaced with fist bumps, elbow bumps, and airwaves. It is now a second nature for many to recoil from shaking hands and touching one’s faces. Additionally, washing hands frequently has also become the norm. People now view washing hands as critical when one goes outside and handles different objects.
The concept of social distancing has changed the way people view and interact with each other. The comfort of being in others' presence has been replaced with a greater comfort of their absence. When choosing to undertake activities that involve other people, such as meetings, people have to identify whether there is a good reason to meet in person. While online communication creates more distance, it makes people feel safer. The views and perceptions of entertainment and the need to have an audience have also changed. Many sports activities that were once a pleasure for many were canceled. Sports had to be played without an actual audience to enforce the social distancing rules. Playing sports behind closed doors has become a norm and changed the way people view entertainment and interact with each other.
In conclusion, the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the fabric of our society as it has impacted how people view the government, the outside world, and each other. The role that the government plays in people’s lives has become more apparent. The government has been observed as critical to maintaining a healthy and well-functioning society. The pandemic has also impacted how people view and interact with the outside world. Many people have shifted from globalization and focused on individualism. The use of online tools has become indispensable as people change how they interact with each other. The perceptions of greetings and touch have changed as people shift towards waves and fist bumps.
