Much talk these days about how the world post COVID-19 will, or indeed should look: Economists discuss the demise of Globalisation, the threat of Chinese dominance as the new super power (one in the eye for Trump), oil wars between Russia and the ‘Gulf States”.
Politicians discuss the future of the EU. Will it survive, can the strong support the weak, what of Brexit (surely a delay and hopefully a more constructive approach to the shape of the deal from both sides), is our political structure in the UK fit for purpose.
Commercially much discussion on the need for countries to be more self sufficient, with social media awash with messages vowing not to buy so much from China in the future.
At an individual level I suspect much debate and good intentions as to what positives from social distancing will we take forward: less materialistic, more family time, less time in pubs and restaurants.
Social Distancing has certainly given us all the opportunity to reflect on our past behaviour and plan our future behaviour, and without doubt there have been many a heart warming story: Captain Tom Moore, aged 99 raising umpteen million (I can’t quote a figure as it is changing hourly but at the time of writing it was over £12 million), 750,000+ volunteers to assist the NHS, Thursday evenings at 8pm the nation gives the NHS and other key workers a round of applause (somehow I can’t really write Clap for the NHS without omitting a juvenile snigger).
All heart warming of examples of the nation rising to the challenge. As I write the radio is discussing a call for volunteers to help with fruit picking as the usual Romanians can’t get over. Much reference to the Land Army in WWII, but little reference to this being the new norm post Brexit when we have to ‘make do’ with less imported ‘low skilled’ labour.
But really, honestly, how much will really change at an individual level? Would 750,000 have volunteered if they were working? Would Captain Tom have raised so much of people weren’t glued to social media even more than ever?
Hand on heart I don’t think there will be a huge change. Months of ‘doing without’ will make it easier for people to revert back to type with a promise to make a few changes later. Cynical, yes. But then again how many years have we seen New Year Resolution rise on a tide of emotion, only to whither on a dose of reality. Dry October, Movember (the one where men grow moustaches) all show that we can do a month or so (especially if it gets us social media recognition), but long term lifestyle changes …… I don’t see any real evidence of this.
For real change to work we need to accept that we will have to pay more for less, be taxed more to fund the infrastructure that COVID-19 has so exposed, to restructure leisure time to not to require spending so much money (eating at home, going for walks, book clubs …..).
Don’t take my word for it, time will tell. Currently you will struggle to buy exercise equipment so as a barometer to how much people have changed I suspect eBay a couple of weeks after social distancing is removed will tell us all we need to know.