LESSONS LOOKING FORWARD

COMMENTARY BY NATALIA PALLAS, BUSINESS MANAGER

Quarantine has isolated many people from everyday activities and interactions. This has led to a loss of sociality, economic stability and most dishearteningly, the loss of loved ones. While several long to return back to normal, would that be in society’s best interest? Simply put, no. It would only be reasonable to take this occurrence as an important lesson to rebuild and move forward as a nation.

Despite efforts from the government to combat the effects of COVID-19, many continue to struggle financially to provide food for themselves as well as keep a roof over their head.

Humanity has to do what it can to prevent another outbreak that could instigate the downfall of the economy and of human life. Hugs and kisses— a way to greet others or display affection— must now be avoided completely. According to a PubMed, a study held in the University of South Wales showed that of the 26 students examined, they would have touched their face around 23 times in an hour. Forty-four percent of these touches were in areas towards the mouth, nose or eyes where COVID-19 is more susceptible to being transmitted. Experts, for the most part, advise to refrain from touching others, even after the pandemic ends.

“We don’t need to shake hands. We’ve got to break that custom. [It] is really one of the major ways that you can transmit a respiratory illness,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said to the Sinclair Broadcast Group.

To revisit old habits like shaking hands would only be unsafe to society. Althought human interaction is needed for mental health, as a nation, it should be understood to be more considerate as this affects others too.

Along these same lines, it is crucial to be more cautious; everyone should continue to practice social distancing and simple hygiene. According to Health It Analytics, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin concluded that “every day, a city delayed in implementing social distancing measures after the appearance of a first case [an] added 2.4 days to the length of an outbreak.” This demonstrates that these methods are beneficial in slowing the spread of this virus. While it is tempting to revert back to normal, it would only be effective if society as a whole would continue to follow, some if not all, of these health regulations moving forward. This would be the only logical way for people to continue day-to-day routines without creating even more damage to the public.

DID YOU KNOW?

There is a 40% greater risk of getting COVID-19 if social distancing is implemented a day later than others who distanced since Day 1.

Source: Center for Disease Control

“While life has been affected greatly, the future is unclear,” senior Pierre Couto said. “On one hand, I believe the world as a whole can overcome this pandemic, but on the other, I am unsure if people will be able to make significant sacrifices to benefit the world as a whole.”

There were several underlying issues such as global warming and healthcare before the pandemic emerged and these issues have been heightened ever since. Not everyone has the luxury to afford standard healthcare and this has become much more acute during this pandemic. According to Families USA, their study reveals how from February to May, approximately 5.4 million workers have lost their insurance coverage, as a result of being let go from work. This number continues to increase and affects many who are uninsured, as they can be left with hefty bills for COVID-19 related appointments.

With this in mind, many have speculated how insurance could change for future years and for the better. STAT news recorded predictions from health policy experts, some being that “the pandemic could help bring about an end to the American tradition of tying health insurance to employment status. It could prompt a reckoning about why Black people and other historically marginalized populations have long suffered so disproportionately — not just from COVID-19.”

While there are seemingly countless negative consequences due to the pandemic, this crisis has fortunately created more conversation surrounding the significant issues affecting everyday life. Providing predictions and ideas in reform, such as for healthcare is a step in the right direction in improving problems many face now for the future.

Similarly, staying at home has led to less carbon emissions and has shown the importance of technology and how going forward, this could lead to permanent changes for the workforce. This pandemic has taught people to adapt to drastic changes and it makes little sense to regress knowing that society has the ability to confront these problems and modify their behavior accordingly.

In a period where humanity mourns hundreds of thousands of losses, the only thing left is to learn and progress to better deal with crises of this type.