New Year’s. There’s always that nice ring to such greeting. It speaks of hope, something worth waiting for, or just the future in all its glory. But, human nature, with its clingy tendencies, channel paranoia around this topic through an acceptable way called ‘What to expect’. So here’s thinking out loud about the five things to watch out for starting today, January 1, 2021.
Movement of anything online
The scope includes, but not limited to, education, the food industry, retail, payment transactions, healthcare, and employment. As heightened up by the pandemic, COVID-19, businesses had tweaked their systems conforming to what had become so obvious. Some ways can make the job easier, faster, and doable, even from home.
Though online transactions had been there for quite some time, it brought a lot of issues. Identity fraud, hollow sell-outs, and expanding black market reach, is getting bigger and bigger.
The food industry thrives with online ordering provided it ties up with a delivery service.
Healthcare managers found a way to cope with hospitals getting filled up by involving family members in providing care for chronic patients. They can continuously check on a patient’s condition now, via a video call, without putting too much pressure on both parties in terms of travel.
Education coped, but it needs a counterapproach on limiting a student’s exposure to the internet considering what should be ‘just’ within their grasp in terms of available information online.
Travel bubbles
Tourism for every country is a huge income generator. There’s no way it would be on lockdowns for that long. While for now, travel is allowed only, if there’s a dire need for it like workwise or due to health concerns. Slowly, travel bubbles might just work provided a health passport becomes admissible. There are just a couple of countries tying up together to at least provide travel opportunities so there’s a lot of adjustments among explorers and voyagers alike. Local attractions may just take over and more staycations shall be made.
There’s more to watch out for this 2021. Moving on.
Local produce becomes the only way.
It might be a little harsh to those who depend solely on imported goods. But one of the safest ways to stay COVID-free is to hail our own locale’s produce and products. On a lighter note, small businesses will have the chance to cope up from 2020’s massive blow. But on the downside, usual supply of what the people got used to having in abundance may lay low. It will naturally result in high prices for these commodities.
If you have a business idea in mind, that you strongly believe would survive even during this pandemic, this might be the right time for you to establish its reputation and work on it creatively.
Possibility of a health passport are amongst the things to watch in 2021
There are rumours that this might be a tag-along requirement along with any visa you would need in visiting other countries. So, take advantage of the time you have, the health apps that you can get hold for free or just the chance to be outdoors, in an open field. Run, bike, or do your weight exercises while observing social distancing. Have ample rest and eat a balanced diet. Being healthy now is slowly becoming a requirement, rather than a privilege. Moreover, cliché as it may sound, it might just be the best time to let go of bad habits, such as smoking and procrastinating.
The need to know about coding or anything like such mode of communication and instruction
Here in Hong Kong, the kids’ curriculum uses the STEAM approach. STEAM stands up for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. They serve as access points as they are put together to reach kids at a dynamic level. As it stirs interest in them and an opportunity to integrate through play, they can cope with how the world rapidly changes.
The World Economic Forum published in their report, regarding future jobs, that children entering primary schools are projected to work in new fields that don’t even exist yet today. So rather than resist change, facilitate. As a parent, begin by educating your children about the proper use of the internet. Enhance extra-curricular activities that which would prepare them for technological innovations and physically demanding situations such as lockdowns. Gone are the days that they should be limited to use the internet since it can be transformed into an educational tool too, provided they will be guided, by no other person, except you.
2020 gave us a lot of C’s. COVID-19 cases, challenges, and changes in huge quantities. It may be hard to see beyond it, but there’s always a brand-new day that awaits. If I forgot one or two to this list of things to watch in 2021, let me know. I wish you all Happy New Year, full of hope, love and positivity.
