A Note from DRF: A question we find ourselves asking right now is what communities will look like and how they will operate in a post-pandemic world. As restrictions are lifted, we may freely move about more but some businesses, organizations and those in the workforce will still struggle to recover for some time to come. DRF asked our friend Ted Abernathy with Economic Leadership LLC to curate some thoughts on the subject from leaders across the United States to help us think about what’s next.

The last ten months have seen so many changes in our lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For me, I think the most lasting impacts of the pandemic are in the broad area of human interaction and how that will change. 

As a senior citizen, I now cringe when I see pictures on social media and there are people in big groups with no masks and no social distancing. However, in some of these cases, I realize the person is posting a picture pre-COVID-19. But for me that is the way I “see” things now. I fear this will take time for me to get over even after the vaccines have been fully administered. Regardless of the reduction of cases and deaths, I feel we will see more fist and elbow “bumps” than handshakes, and hugs may be a thing of the past. I am a hugger so I will miss this. 

Also, I predict we are a few years away from filled arenas and football stadiums, family reunions and holiday celebrations. And, when we do gather masks will be a part of our lives for years as many of us will still not be comfortable in large groups and tight spaces like planes.

Another obvious long-term change in our lives will be the increase in e-commerce and food delivery services. We were forced into these delivery systems during the pandemic and now we are comfortable with these services. All the above changes separate us from each other and will result in a lack of social interaction. Some people will be okay with that but those of us that really enjoy “gathering” this will be a challenge. 

Finally, for those of us that plan meetings and events, this too may never be the same. For the foreseeable future, I think we should get used to various protocols for meeting spaces in terms of cleaning, social distancing, and masks. In terms of food and beverage, gone are the days of food being on a line and you selecting it yourself, passed food, and touching food dispensers. Your food and beverage will be given to you by a server.