There is no arguing that the COVID-19 Pandemic has been one of the most difficult events the US and the entire world have ever gone through. Not only has there been a massive loss of life, but the restrictions placed on daily life have affected every one of us. However, it is still possible to find some small slivers of silver lining resulting directly from the situations that the Pandemic has placed us in. Read on to find out what they are.
A Greater Appreciation for Those in Front Line Jobs
While the media continues to pay much attention to those acting in a less than ideal way during the pandemic, there has also been a great deal of focus around those working hard in front-line jobs. It’s just like Mr. Rogers always used to say, when something bad happens, you can always find people helping and doing good.
In particular, professionals working in fields such as healthcare, retail, and customer-facing service industries are (largely) finally being awarded the respect that they have so long deserved.
Indeed, this respect isn’t only coming from service users, or the public either, but also from employers like Passavant Memorial Homes who upped the wages of their front-line employees by $3 an hour over the pandemic. This is all without receiving any state aid for hazard pay, communicating the message that their workers were appreciated and respected.
A Largely Positive Change in Working Conditions
For those not on the front lines, a positive that has come out of the pandemic is the increase in remote and home working. There are many benefits to be gained from working from home too, including less commuting time and being present for family, such as when the kids come home from school.
There is money to be saved on gas as well, and for many working remotely an opportunity to be more autonomous and direct themselves at work, rather than being micromanaged, something that in turn can help foster a better sense of agency, satisfaction and reduce stress.
An Increase in Climate Change Awareness
All this working from home isn’t just good for workers’ stress levels, and work-life balance. It also meant a significant reduction in C02 emissions, as well as much greater awareness about the issue of pollution and climate change in general.
Indeed, not only have we got to see what our roads, skies, and cities would be like with less traffic and pollution, but we have also been granted a little more time which has allowed us to slow down and better manage things like recycling and upcycling, as well as to put more thought into our overall consumption. Perhaps, due to these widespread changes arising from the disaster of the Pandemic, the potential to avoid another is presenting itself?
Final Thoughts
There has been much that is negative arising from the pandemic, including loss of life, income, and the restrictions we have all had to endure. Yet, some positives have also emerged, and that will hopefully help us to forge a better world as we move into the future.
Tags: positives that have come from the pandemic, reasons to be grateful after covid
