The outbreak of Covid-19 and its rapid spread has had a crippling effect on the entire world. To contain the virus, a lockdown was imposed in almost all countries of the world, and it continues in most of the countries in one form or the other. People the world over have been forced to adopt an unconventional lifestyle. Let us see how this change has affected the behaviours and attitudes of the people.
There has been an upsurge in the use of online outlets since the closure of conventional marketplaces have diverted people to the digital world. Those who already had a digital presence were able to capitalise on it as their online business activities spiked up considerably. Talking about Pakistani markets specifically, even those involved in small-scale businesses like fruit vendors and push-carters have switched to home delivery. Work-from-home has also been adopted as the need of the hour. With employees running business and commercial operations from the comfort of their homes, the real-time data might show a better and more rational use of resources with reduced consumption of utilities like electricity and gas bills.
Social practices are also in a phase of transition. With social distancing being routinely practised, the traditional way of meet and greet has altered while elaborate wedding celebrations have been reduced to simple gatherings consisting of fewer people.
The pandemic has stress the need to focus more and more on health infrastructure and facilities rather than spending invariably on weapons and exhausting all resources on acquiring military might. As the world recovers from this calamity, the dawn of a new era is anticipated, an era we all should be ready for.
Samar Waqar Mufti
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2020.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
