Alice Dehghanzadeh
Opinions Editor
March marks five years since the outbreak of COVID-19, a worldwide pandemic that greatly impacted nations’ economic, social, and healthcare systems. Time has certainly flown by. In the long-term, how have we combatted the lasting effects of the pandemic? Did we learn our lessons, or have some been forgotten? And finally, how have we adapted (or perhaps failed to adapt) to the new realities brought on by the catastrophe?
When examining the actual long-term effects of the illness itself, research has shown us that having COVID-19 can alter your immune system. This is a worrying truth that we often drift over, and the lack of continued concern shows how we, as a society, move on too quickly. The debate over vaccinations remains highly divided, and there have been several instances where I’ve heard those around me hold mistrust towards the healthcare system.
In terms of education, the education system has undergone several significant changes in the past five years. For one, remote learning has been increasingly normalized thanks to the greater reliance on apps like Zoom, Canvas, and Google Meet. However, this spotlights a class divide too, with wealthier students having no issues with their technology or Wi-Fi as students from lower-income households do. Traditional test-taking seems to be declining as project-based learning increases, suggesting the importance of sustained effort over dull memorization. School settings have also expanded mental health support in response to rising cases of burnout. Finally, I see more and more homeschooling, or at-home-parent-teaching throughout K-12. This has the potential to be great, but I worry about the quality of learning.
Many industries have replaced remote work as a permanent adaptation to COVID-19 that has lasted these past five years. More people are freelancing and using portals like Fiverr and Upwork. There’s also a downside to the job market as companies turn to artificial intelligence to substitute entire careers, posing a threat to the modern employment pool. “Quiet quitting” has appeared, or the act of only putting in the bare minimum at work, as employees realize their worth, resulting in the balancing of their job with life, family, and leisure. Since the pandemic, more attention has been drawn to the importance of work-life balance, challenging traditional norms of devoting all of your time and effort to your job.
One major sector impacted by COVID-19, even five years later, is inflation and the housing market. With rising costs of basic goods and services, people are increasingly in states of financial instability. Higher interest rates make it harder to borrow money from banks. Housing prices also surged as demand remains high but supply stays low, and rent rates have increased as well, diminishing the dream or milestone of owning a home.
In general, higher rates of anxiety and depression among workplaces, schools, and communities. This is partly due to the long-term effects of quarantining, as it was an intense form of social isolation. However, there are many more conversations that destigmatize the topic. There is a greater acceptance of support systems, like therapy and medication, as public figures share their experiences with their mental health more openly. Applications like Headspace and Calm provide more accessible forms of self-care to combat the challenges of mental health.
One area positively influenced by COVID-19 is countries’ emergency preparedness. Governments have greatly strengthened their plans in response to crises like pandemics, and more funding is allocated to related areas of research. As for the general public, people are more likely to follow proper hygiene practices, especially when sick, and there’s an increased normalization in staying at home when sick. It is arguable, however, that schools still have not adjusted their attendance policies to suit everybody. Families also tend to keep more emergency supplies at hand at home. However, I do wonder if this preparedness will last until the next crisis. Or will we, as humans tend to do, forget the importance of proper prevention?
Despite the five years of hardships from COVID-19, five years prove that the effects are ongoing. We see some positive change in the realms of workplaces, education, and mental health, but we still struggle with the job and housing market as well as inflation. The question remains: the pandemic brought a call to action, but have we learned from the past? Or will the next crisis bring its fair share of calamities in response?