40 Interesting Answers To What Will Never Be The Same Once The Pandemic Is Over, As Said By People On Reddit
The pandemic has had a massive impact on many things—our daily and work routines, hygiene habits, the way we socialize, shop, and behave in public, our plans as well as those of many businesses and governments, and a slew of many other things.
Many of us have grown accustomed to the way the world has changed, but are also looking forward to the time when things will go back to normal. Alas, not everything will remain the way it has been because of how drastically the coronavirus has changed the world and the way it used to work.
So, it does seem appropriate to wonder what has been changed forever. Reddit user u/Cuish has recently asked that very question—what will never be the same again once the pandemic is over?—and Reddit delivered over 17,000 responses.
Bored Panda invites you to read through some of the best and most thought-provoking answers to the question. Scroll down to read through them and make sure to comment and vote on the ones you liked the most.
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My marriage.
My wife and I had to work from home together (separate jobs) from March until September when she had to go back to the office. I am still working from home. During this time, we became increasingly closer. I have heard so many stories of marital problems being caused by Covid. I literally miss my wife everyday she has to go to work.
I meet her at the door like a fucking puppy. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Sometimes forced proximity does too.
Hopefully your boss will finally admit that all his dumb meetings actually could have been emails all along.
The phrase "avoid it like the plague" - turns out people don't do that.
Time spent with my kids.
Pre-pandemic I would leave the house 5 days a week at 6:15am to commute to the office, usually before anyone else in my house is awake. And I'd get home most evenings just in time to put them to bed. I'll never go back to that. The past 8 months I've actually seen my boys grow up in front of my eyes and I get lots of quality time with them every day, even with work from home.
I know now what i was missing.
A massive amount of people now know they can work from home.
People come in numbers, not amounts. An amount is how much butter is needed for frosting...
Anytime you're sick, you'll wear a mask. I'm amazed at all the times I flew before when I had a cold, and didn't wear a mask.
Most of the mom and pop stores in my town are gone forever. Some of these stores I grew up with, the nickle arcade, the tiny French bakery my aunt took us to when we got good grades, the only ramen shop open after 10PM, my favorite donut shop, the fancy British tea shop I never had a good date in but many London Fogs that were utterly perfect, the only dim sum place, the handmade mochi and tea shop, the only cigar shop in town to get fancy cigars...
I lament the death of all these tiny businesses I took for granted. I always thought they'd be around. Now my community is left with just brand named box stores, no more originality and flavor. Just closed skyrise buildings surrounded by a garishly lit Denny's, Olive Garden, and Target.
We lost a few in my small town, but we’re far enough away from anything larger that most people have closed temporarily or are making delivery arrangements for goods purchased.
Office life. My company has already announced that once we are allowed to go back, we'd only be going once or twice a week. It seems many realized how feasible working from home is.
I would hate to blur the boundaries between my home and work life!
My dogs have expected me to basically be around all the time and rub their belly’s 24/7
Blowing out the candles on your birthday cake
I still dont know why we do that we are technically eating a cake that somebody just spat onto.
I want to make the birthday person a big paper fan and they can blow out the candles with it :)
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We have a "birthday candle". It's just a pillar candle. It does not go on or anywhere near the cake. Kids still get to blow out the candle and nobody has to eat sugared kid spit.
I like this idea! Still get to blow out candles, makes wishes and eat cake. Changes to traditions aren't always a bad thing.
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Last weekend my brother tried to blow out his candles with a folded newspaper. Got quite the blaze going for his 28th.
Many years ago, I saw my 90-year-old uncle clap his hands over 90 birthday candles and they all went out at once. Since then, me and my kids have been trying to clap out our birthday candles. I never knew how handy that would be.
It has always been an unhygenic custom that is why you cover the cake with plastic food wrap before inserting the candles. Then carefully remove and throw away, no wax dribbles or kid dribbles either.
I guess now we have to pinch the candles out with our fingers. The older you are the more painful it is.
I think we should popularize some kind of air horn or something that blows them out. Make it part of the traditions.
I never liked this anyway. Grossed me out, so I'd scrape off a top layer and just say "all that frosting is too sweet".
Ha, I can't believe how prissy people are... Just eat the dang cake and enjoy it.
Working in an office, particularly in Japan.
I live in Japan. Going to the office and spending all day here is a deep cultural tradition. So many companies here, even in the early COVID days, flat out publicly said "Hah, no, we will NEVER be doing that 'work from home' thing, sorry. That's laughably naïve."
Then, the country issued a "Declaration of National Urgency" (not an actual Emergency, as that would entitle the govt to be actually accountable to the livelihoods of the people, just a very strong arm public stance and shaming businesses into following suit).
And those traditional Japanese businesses saw what happened to their bottom lines when they no longer had to pay for electricity, heating/AC, cleaning, office equipment and maintenance, subsidized travel expenses to/from work, soft items like coffee and snacks, etc... and so many of them now are singing the praises of a "sensible work from home policy" and planning for even long-term work-from-home options.
People coming into work sick to show how dedicated to work they are or saving those days for 'mental health days' meant ironically.
No Justin! Don't come over to my desk with your coughing and runny nose telling me how bad you're 'roughing it' at work to get some sympathy. "If you're looking for sympathy, look under the dictionary between shit and syphilis"!
I’m hoping that this convinces the (American, pretty much everyone else has this figured out already) masses that healthcare is a human right and should not be tied to employment. The pandemic has shown that plenty of people lose their jobs through no fault of their own, despite their best efforts and that should not condemn them to either going without healthcare or accumulating crippling debt when they lose their health insurance coverage.
As a current college student, I am in favor of keeping recorded lectures. It's way more helpful than just having notes or slides.
My definition of “personal space.”
Shopping will continue to be mostly online and malls will likely die out faster than they were already going to.
Health care workers going to work without a mask on. Definitely took for granted seeing my co workers smiling faces during my long shifts
I miss seeing some of my friend's faces, one of them always constantly wears a mask :(
Obliviousness to how many things I touched between hand washings
Literally this morning, our local paper reported that the government is aiming to achieve full internet coverage throughout Indonesia, reaching even the remote villages by 2024. We had a local meme as our boomer minister said a few years back something in the line of "Why do we need strong internet access?" It took the poor stealing smartphones for the sole purpose of letting their kids attend online classes to convince them. So the answer to the question is: some boomers' view on the value of internet accessability.
The sadness here is that there has been a Global Payoff to lawmakers to disband internet access with removing Net Neutrality. ( If you don't know, you should) It's disgraceful. Karma taught them through CoVid that money Can't Buy Everything
Childhood development theories - we now have an entire group of children who have missed what are regarded as developmental milestones. Learning to play cooperatively with others, learning to share, empathy building, etc. It will be very interesting to see the research coming out over the next decade or so
Food delivery just being dropped off on your doorstep. Remember when you had to go outside and make EYE CONTACT like some kind of PERSON?! No more, my friends. Just leave it outside and I’ll get it when I’m ready. No more scrambling to find pants when you’re half baked and hungry...
I had doordash driver open my pizza and place the dipping sauces directly on top of it. I go get my own food.
As a nursing assistant... I will be forever oh so hesitant to get near someone (particularly the elderly who like to cough directly at you) without my eye-shield and mask.
Hopefully frequent handwashings will become the norm. And hand sanitizers in shops, restaurants and public spaces.
As someone who refuses to touch food if I haven't washed my hands (I am emetophobic, I'm terrified of the stomach flu), this endless supply everywhere I go is really nice. And people who usually don't care about washing their hands do it more often!
As a super-smeller/super-taster, the scent of hand sanitizer in a restaurant really, really, really interferes with the taste of my food.
Having been the funeral organist for numerous pandemic-caused deaths:
I can bear first-hand witness to the sad fact that the families and friends of the departed brought to their death by COVID-19 will never be the same.
They’ll probably leave the plexiglass things up. That’s probably it.
Drinking fountains.
It's annoying how (seemingly) quickly my life went from talking about where we wanted to buy a house to discussing the possibility of moving back in with my parents for a while.
RIP live music career, you will be missed.
Movies, unfortunately. Cinema specifically. I'm sure a lot of production companies will take enormous losses or possibly file bankruptcy as no one is paying to go see movies anymore. The other issue being that no one can really make movies at the moment either. Travel bans all over, logistic issues, actors not able to be within close proximity to one another, and then all the post-production work that, for the most part can't be done from home. Little to no support for creative arts jobs from governments around the globe. Artists encouraged to retrain in other sectors.
My small-town fourplex has started selling concessions on Fridays and Saturdays; the concession counter is where most of any cinema’s revenue comes from.
I am afraid that a lot of karaokes and spas in our country will go out of business.
Dating is going to get even more app related which isnt good for most people honestly. Especially if people work at home more and dont go out for entertainment.
My attitude towards my entertainment backlog. Previously I used to look at my PlayStation library or my Netflix list and think "If I just had a few weeks off,I could make a serious dent"
I've had more then a few weeks off and my backlog seems if anything more endless,I'll probably be in the retirement home with that little voice in the back of my head going "Peaky Blinders is meant to be good,should get on that"
People actually knowing what 6ft looks like. Seriously, everyone's estimations of 6ft distance have been just gradually decreasing and decreasing to a point where most people are hanging out 3ft away and thinking it's 6
I’m 5’3”, so I always look at the person in front of me and think “how much clearance is there if I were to fall face-first?” Most of the stores in my small town have masking tape strips on the floor areas leading to the check-out counter.
I have the impression that people has shown their worst part and this will have consequences for long time
Cruise Ships... dubious that industry will come out the other side without radical changes
Video games. They feel like they did when I was a teenager again. Usually I feel guilty that I'm not doing something more productive, but right now I could care less about spending a whole weekend doing almost nothing but playing video games.
I no longer had any time to play Sims. Still don't and still won't for a while. Kids being home all the time means 0 breaks except when I'm sick in bed. Stay at home moms never get "day off work". We don't know what that's like and we don't understand why especially men don't want to do any household chores cuz it's their "day off work".
For me it's the eating at restaurants. I just can't bring myself to it yet. And forget about buffets. They'll be a thing of the past. Not that I enjoyed them much anyways.
The number of Women wearing bras and skinny jeans will decrease... Hoodies and leggings all the way now folks! I can't bear to put normal clothes on now lol, just feels uncomfortable
Bras or masks, not both. Free the titty, save the city.
Madders what
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I think all those people who wished for "Simpler Times" got their wish. CoVid makes you choose who you spend your time with more carefully. Weddings are back to small affairs with the people who really matter. Families meet at the dinner table again. And dating is shifting to getting to know a person from a distance rather than reacting to chemistry. That's really what quality of life is.
Or instead you're completely separated from family you really long to see, you can't just appreciate the companionship of friends and getting to know people is now an internet lottery instead of meeting at mutual interest hobbies. Don't know what Simpler Times you're currently living in.
Hi eagle girl, glad you are managing to get around restrictions, or perhaps you're lucky/unlucky enough to be in a country without them. For me it's less fear on my behalf - I don't want to give elderly parents a disease that could kill them! You see, I also appreciate what's important, and for me that is making sure others are safe, even if I long to see them. I don't think this is simpler times at all for the majority, but you are right in that it brings to sharp focus the importance of family and friends we took for granted
Hazel, I'm sorry if you feel isolated. Been there. I decided to focus on my small group & we've gotten closer. My mom moved a thousand miles a way & had to overcome my fear of travel for her. With a mask, a travel bottle of Spic Span & hand sanitizer, this is our new normal so must adapt like any other species to survive. I appreciate what's important. What I have, vs what I don't. That, to me, is the simple life. Good luck.
I felt some of these so hard, especially the 'no snow days'... I'll miss those days... :(
So many people are getting pets! 🐶 🐱 🐦 🐍
As an introvert I’ve been perfectly content with not socializing. I guess sometimes it gets a little lonely not seeing my best friend but at least I have my boyfriend and our 2 year old. Oh and our dog!
Mimi777 yes
Not being able to visit extended family. My sister is 86, 23 years older than me. She lives a couple of states away. I can't take the chance with her health to visit her. We are close and I miss her so much. We talk several times a week but I really miss her hugs. They are the best ever. I may not ever get another.
Carol Lewis lol
im scared to find out what a nightmare black friday shopping will be.
oh.....oh no.... I forgot about black friday.
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For my family personally, the future holds my dad not going out of his home for a while because people refuse to put a mask on their face.
Having to pay for additional licensing to have a video of us singing music we ALREADY PAID FOR! Greedy publishing companies. Although Disney shocked me by basically saying as long as we don't monetize, they don't care what we do with their music!
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I swear I'll nevermore consider the smell of my kids hair as granted. Never. Ever.
Katerina Huskova Good response!
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Dear people, the "pandemic" is never going to be over, unless you wake up. They are just testing how far they can go with you (and apparently that's insanely far), so they can do things to you that are much, MUCH worse. Please be alert and think for yourself, while you still can.
Scientists said from the start that a vaccine would be late Q1 2021, and they're on track for that. So I'm content to keep listening to the science for now.
A few of my (adult) students in China have signed up for the vaccine trials there. Everything is certainly on track for getting a working vaccine out.
What's In Your Head? love
For me it's the eating at restaurants. I just can't bring myself to it yet. And forget about buffets. They'll be a thing of the past. Not that I enjoyed them much anyways.
The number of Women wearing bras and skinny jeans will decrease... Hoodies and leggings all the way now folks! I can't bear to put normal clothes on now lol, just feels uncomfortable
Bras or masks, not both. Free the titty, save the city.
Madders what
Madders like
Madders good
I think all those people who wished for "Simpler Times" got their wish. CoVid makes you choose who you spend your time with more carefully. Weddings are back to small affairs with the people who really matter. Families meet at the dinner table again. And dating is shifting to getting to know a person from a distance rather than reacting to chemistry. That's really what quality of life is.
Or instead you're completely separated from family you really long to see, you can't just appreciate the companionship of friends and getting to know people is now an internet lottery instead of meeting at mutual interest hobbies. Don't know what Simpler Times you're currently living in.
Hi eagle girl, glad you are managing to get around restrictions, or perhaps you're lucky/unlucky enough to be in a country without them. For me it's less fear on my behalf - I don't want to give elderly parents a disease that could kill them! You see, I also appreciate what's important, and for me that is making sure others are safe, even if I long to see them. I don't think this is simpler times at all for the majority, but you are right in that it brings to sharp focus the importance of family and friends we took for granted
Hazel, I'm sorry if you feel isolated. Been there. I decided to focus on my small group & we've gotten closer. My mom moved a thousand miles a way & had to overcome my fear of travel for her. With a mask, a travel bottle of Spic Span & hand sanitizer, this is our new normal so must adapt like any other species to survive. I appreciate what's important. What I have, vs what I don't. That, to me, is the simple life. Good luck.
I felt some of these so hard, especially the 'no snow days'... I'll miss those days... :(
So many people are getting pets! 🐶 🐱 🐦 🐍
As an introvert I’ve been perfectly content with not socializing. I guess sometimes it gets a little lonely not seeing my best friend but at least I have my boyfriend and our 2 year old. Oh and our dog!
Mimi777 yes
Not being able to visit extended family. My sister is 86, 23 years older than me. She lives a couple of states away. I can't take the chance with her health to visit her. We are close and I miss her so much. We talk several times a week but I really miss her hugs. They are the best ever. I may not ever get another.
Carol Lewis lol
im scared to find out what a nightmare black friday shopping will be.
oh.....oh no.... I forgot about black friday.
This comment has been deleted.
This comment has been deleted.
For my family personally, the future holds my dad not going out of his home for a while because people refuse to put a mask on their face.
Having to pay for additional licensing to have a video of us singing music we ALREADY PAID FOR! Greedy publishing companies. Although Disney shocked me by basically saying as long as we don't monetize, they don't care what we do with their music!
This comment has been deleted.
I swear I'll nevermore consider the smell of my kids hair as granted. Never. Ever.
Katerina Huskova Good response!
This comment has been deleted.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Dear people, the "pandemic" is never going to be over, unless you wake up. They are just testing how far they can go with you (and apparently that's insanely far), so they can do things to you that are much, MUCH worse. Please be alert and think for yourself, while you still can.
Scientists said from the start that a vaccine would be late Q1 2021, and they're on track for that. So I'm content to keep listening to the science for now.
A few of my (adult) students in China have signed up for the vaccine trials there. Everything is certainly on track for getting a working vaccine out.
What's In Your Head? love