The year 2020 brought one of the most devastating pandemics in the history of humankind. In hindsight, one can not help but feel amazed about the events that unfolded and amused at the reception, reaction, and revolt against common sense in that year.
Naturally, people tend to underestimate the severity of unfortunate occurrences when it hits far from home. They only accept reality after it touches them or someone close. This same scenario played out when the COVID-19 outbreak began. I daresay the breakout found much success due to the negligence and lukewarm reactions of many.
When the news of COVID-19 came out of China, most people did not see the deadly potential of the virus. Only when the virus started spreading to other countries at an uncontrollable pace did organisations and governments begin to take drastic measures to counter the outbreak.
Revolts Against Restrictive Measures
2020 is not only remembered as the year of the pandemic but also as the year of lockdowns. It was also the period when the World experienced a sharp spike in the use of face masks and hand sanitisers. All of these measures aimed at restricting the virus’ spread among people, at least, till a vaccine becomes available. But despite its noble intentions, many kicked against it and believed the measures had a deeper and more sinister purpose.
People started protesting and revolting against the restrictive measures. In a sense, some of the practices went too far, which led to people perceiving the effective measures with the same judgemental lens they used for the extreme ones. It got so bad that anyone seen wearing a face mask on social media got called all sorts of insulting names. On the other hand, some folks misplaced the purpose of face masks and were using normal clothing materials like cotton to incorporate the masks into fashion styles. This defeated the main point of these protective pieces and made them look unnecessary and negligible to the less-educated.
Surprisingly, people found it easy to get used to hand sanitisers and washing hands often. It was almost as if society needed the change but was not aware. Every institution incorporated the practice including restaurants, banks, schools, and even churches.
The Easing Of Restrictions
Thanks to the recommended hygienic practices and the increased access to available vaccines, humanity started pushing the virus back. This meant that regular activities could resume once again. But it had to be done little by little to prevent the virus from making a comeback. Schools started opening and lectures moved back into classrooms. Places that attracted more crowds, e.g. markets and stadiums, could not fully resume until a while later. Regardless, it was clear that we had weathered the storm and had begun to forge ahead as a society.
Looking back, one can say the restriction came as a challenge to a generation that was already used to being up and about every day. While it took some getting used to, folks were simply glad to be ‘free’ once again.
State Of The Virus Five Years Later
Five years have passed since COVID-19’s assault on the World and it is almost as if the virus is now impotent. Although no one can fully rule out the possibility of its return, humankind has learnt and grown stronger from the experience, as we have always done.
The period of the lockdown had its upsides, especially for social media, entertainment, and art. Being forced to spend days, weeks, and months at home acted as a catalyst for lots of people to finally explore their passion or something they have been putting off. 2020 saw the emergence of many streamers and entertainers. Some people took up multiple courses that paid off, learning and developing a skill they would never have paid attention to if not for the lockdown.
With the necessity of sitting at home came the culture of working from home. This was how remote work came into existence and ensured that economies continued to function. Innovative software like Zoom also came to be as a result of this development. Years later, several job opportunities offer remote work, making it accessible to more people. Folks from various parts of the world now work together regardless of time zones and geographical regions. Businesses have developed a stronger online presence and eCommerce keeps growing in leaps and bounds.
Activities have returned in full swing and society is moving like it wants to recover all the time lost to the pandemic’s attack. Everyone now goes about their lives as usual while carrying with them the things they picked up during the time in isolation/lockdown. Even the ones who demonised the 5G technology have started using and enjoying it. Looks like it is no longer the cause of COVID or it grew bored and decided to focus on cellular and network efficiency.
Several strains and variants of the virus have been discovered since then but none have ever, and will never, threaten humankind again.
This, we hope and believe.
Read: The Year Common Sense Died
