What Have You Learned Through the Virus?

[bucktalk]

Surely there are things we've learned about life, each other, family, etc through this virus outbreak. Personally, there were a ton of things I took for granted...simple things like going to watch Thunder play, grabbing a bite out with friends or going to a movie. So I guess I've learned to be more appreciative of things I took for granted but also to appreciate that life has slowed down a bit at the same time so I might enjoy the small things in life.

And you?

[BBatesokc]

Once we stopped watching the news, I feel guilty saying it, but in some ways it's actually been pretty nice. The wife works at home now, I go into my office downtown, but I come home by 2pm because work is really slow. So we spend a lot of time together bike riding and working the garden and bee hives. I've also gotten closer with my 96 year old grandfather. I don't let him go to the store any more, so I have to make grocery trips for him every couple of days and we chat outside from a distance. He insists on mowing his own yard and playing golf (until Kickingbird recently closed) , so I have to check up on him every night to make sure he's not fallen in the yard somewhere because his wife is in a nursing home and can't check on him.

What we have gained is more of an appreciation for our health (and this is motivation to stay healthier) and I greatly appreciate how good my wife is with money - forcing us to save and put away all the time. Our health and our savings are what have taken a lot of the stress off during this time. We've already lost one dear friend to the virus, so the stress and anxiety are always there that we will loose someone else. But we know we are ultimately helpless to protect our vulnerable loved ones and friends, so we don't dwell on it too much.

There is a lot to appreciate in all of this and a lot to regret. But we do what we've always done, we overcome obstacles and we make the most of them. I just hope others are able to keep the same mindset.

[stlokc]

For every cloud, there's a silver lining. And right now there are a lot of both.

I've been surprised at the degree to which this virus has actually made me feel more connected to some of my family and friends. Last night was my birthday. As a surprise, my wife set up a "virtual happy hour" for a bunch of my friends. I sat at my computer, she handed me a drink, I clicked a link and there were 12 of my closest friends waiting for me. We talked, laughed, reminisced, etc. for over 2 hours. In our busy world, it would have been virtually impossible to gather all these people at once in normal times as we all would have been moving in different directions with a million obligations.

Another example is a practice I have just started in the last week of taking a simple walk each night and using that time to call a different person each day that I have not talked to in a while. Old friends in distant places mostly. To a person they are so grateful I have called and I have had some really meaningful reconnections. One girl cried that I had thought to call her, it meant so much. Would I have done that in the "normal" world? I don't know...there would have been places to go or things to do.

On the other hand, I have been disappointed that division has raised its head in ways I didn't expect. I always knew this country was polarized over social and political issues but until a month ago I never would have dreamed that a global pandemic, a scientific event, would be interpreted completely differently by different factions of people, and that politics would color how seriously it was taken. That has floored me.

In any event, I will be glad when I can go out to eat and travel again, and see clients in person. I wish this was over. But in the meantime, it's certainly been eye-opening.

[Pete]

You definitely see many more people outside, riding bikes, walking, going to the parks.

That part is very nice and shows how much time most people stay indoors or in their cars.

[Roger S]

Once we stopped watching the news, ...... I just hope others are able to keep the same mindset.

Pretty much exactly how I've felt about it.... I also stopped reading all the Covid threads here and I'm happy to see other threads reviving slowly.... Hell even the Restaurant Closing thread coded from the Covid and is intubated right now and on life support.

Probably helps that I'm an INTP so I was already pretty much practicing social distancing before all this.... I also tend to deal with the problem(s) from a rational state of mind rather than an emotional one.

I also have my farm to escape to and between what I grow, forage, and can catch from my pond and creek. I have some comfort knowing I can be self-sufficient for months.

[Roger S]

You definitely see many more people outside, riding bikes, walking, going to the parks.

That part is very nice and shows how much time most people stay indoors or in their cars.

And sitting on their front porches..... I've also noticed that the drivers seem to be more aware of me on my bike riding around Moore.... Which is great considering we had a spell where it seemed like cyclists/pedestrians were getting hit by drivers way too often.....Seemed like it was in the news more than tornadoes.

[bucktalk]

From those who are in my sphere of influence everyone seems to be doing quite well with the slower paced life. Most have new appreciation for things they were overlooking pre-Covid19. It takes some effort, for some, to see there are actually a few benefits while enduring this period in history. Hopefully we can maintain a deeper appreciation and not act like spoiled children once thing return to a more normal fashion.

[Pete]

It occurred to me that it's going to be difficult for many to get back into a work groove when that time comes.

Won't be easy to get up early every day and go back to the daily grind.

[Bill Robertson]

My wife and I are both working but our jobs are completely opposite. My office has about 25% staff working in office so my job, Building & Grounds Contract Manager, is pretty laid back right now. My wife however, grocery warehouse office lead, is working 60+ hours a week. So I have been doing a lot more than usual around the house and taking special care to make her home life easier. I'm scoring LOTS of brownie points. We get along very well normally but we have been doing even better in this situation. We relate to and respect how each other are adapting to deal with work and home. I hope we can keep this going and not revert to being an "old married couple" again.

[Stew]

I learned to play the guitar intro for ‘Better Call Saul’.

[emtefury]

was going to post a thread with the same question.

Not so much me, but businesses that have considered more teleworking is getting to try it out. They are able to see what works and doesn’t work. After this I foresee a lot more businesses doing work at home to save on office overhead. I also a lot more competition to Zoom and they technology for video conferencing escalating to accommodate more teleworking.

I think people, I know I am, getting a feel on what is really important and not so important in life. I heard a lot of people say, I have been really productive the past few weeks around the house.

I see the further demise of cable TV. With many at home streaming services gets a big time benefit because a lot of people who were curious with streaming are checking it out. People have more time to view the content. With the current low price of streaming, it is very attractive compared to Cable TV.

[Bill Robertson]

I learned to play the guitar intro for ‘Better Call Saul’.

I’m becoming a better bass player. Another month of this and I might improve enough to be bad.

[RedDollar]

was going to post a thread with the same question.

Not so much me, but businesses that have considered more teleworking is getting to try it out. They are able to see what works and doesn’t work. After this I foresee a lot more businesses doing work at home to save on office overhead. I also a lot more competition to Zoom and they technology for video conferencing escalating to accommodate more teleworking.

I think people, I know I am, getting a feel on what is really important and not so important in life. I heard a lot of people say, I have been really productive the past few weeks around the house.

I see the further demise of cable TV. With many at home streaming services gets a big time benefit because a lot of people who were curious with streaming are checking it out. People have more time to view the content. With the current low price of streaming, it is very attractive compared to Cable TV.

I heard Mark Cuban say the other day, that work at home will be a big winner out of this, and because people can work at home and live about anywhere within reason, we will see people move out of high density populated areas. He thinks it will bring big changes.

[brian72]

That there are more experts than I ever knew existed during this Current Virus. That's why I don't put my faith in Man. You'll always be disappointed.

[PurpleChicken]

Just a reinforcement of how much better off the common individual would be without the massive burden of taxes. What if the unemployment insurance/tax that employers have to pay were put into individual bank accounts only to be accessed in the time of need. And, if not needed/used, would be put into retirement spending account? What if we dropped all government pensions on salaries that were above a certain level? Does the government pension model make sense? How about all the Social Security money we've paid into the system be put into ones individual account, to be accessed at retirement? Why do we need the government to take care of this money for us? So they can dip their hands into it?

[RedDollar]

What we've seen so far, is areas with high population density and high usage of mass transit have been hardest hit.

If Cuban is right about people preferring to spread out from cities and work at home, then that will make mass transit a big loser.

At one time, I rode the city bus about once a week. I'm no germaphobe, but I never liked it when people would be coughing, sneezing, and getting their hankerchief out to blow their nose. I tried to get on and off the bus without touching anything. I would not get anywhere near a bus today.

[mugofbeer]

I heard Mark Cuban say the other day, that work at home will be a big winner out of this, and because people can work at home and live about anywhere within reason, we will see people move out of high density populated areas. He thinks it will bring big changes.

I heard him say that and read others saying the same. I would agree with this to some extent but wouldn't you agree people need a work environment? The incentive to get up early and hit the job isn't there at home. My wife used to get to work at 8am.. Now shes doing well to start working by 10. Unless its your own business, l just see incentive wo actually work at home at a fraction of what it is at an office.

[chuck5815]

I heard him say that and read others saying the same. I would agree with this to some extent but wouldn't you agree people need a work environment? The incentive to get up early and hit the job isn't there at home. My wife used to get to work at 8am.. Now shes doing well to start working by 10. Unless its your own business, l just see incentive wo actually work at home at a fraction of what it is at an office.

Yep. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of people at any given organization (the stars of stars) who are going to consistently deliver acceptable results from a home office. Sure, there will be a few exceptions who end up logging way more hours and putting up big numbers in the process, but most managers know that most folks are going to take advantage of a WFH situation. It’s just human nature.

Also, we could end up seeing some companies go the opposite direction. They will want folks back in the office, but not in an open floor plan or in rows and rows of cubicles. These companies, mindful of the fact that some measure of social distancing will be required for the next 18-24 months, will seek more space to allow for distancing and meaningful productivity.

Biggest problem for any company, though, is that people are going to be tight AF (think Dave Ramsey tight) for at least the intermediate term. That will present headwinds for almost every facet of our economy.

[mkjeeves]

Yep. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of people at any given organization (the stars of stars) who are going to consistently deliver acceptable results from a home office. Sure, there will be a few exceptions who end up logging way more hours and putting up big numbers in the process, but most managers know that most folks are going to take advantage of a WFH situation. It’s just human nature.

Also, we could end up seeing some companies go the opposite direction. They will want folks back in the office, but not in an open floor plan or in rows and rows of cubicles. These companies, mindful of the fact that some measure of social distancing will be required for the next 18-24 months, will seek more space to allow for distancing and meaningful productivity.

Biggest problem for any company, though, is that people are going to be tight AF (think Dave Ramsey tight) for at least the intermediate term. That will present headwinds for almost every facet of our economy.

Productivity differences, cost savings to both the employee and the employer will all factor into WFH economics eventually.

[GoGators]

I don’t think we will see a mass exodus from highly populated areas. People move to these areas for many reasons besides just access to jobs.

[AP]

I heard him say that and read others saying the same. I would agree with this to some extent but wouldn't you agree people need a work environment? The incentive to get up early and hit the job isn't there at home. My wife used to get to work at 8am.. Now shes doing well to start working by 10. Unless its your own business, l just see incentive wo actually work at home at a fraction of what it is at an office.

I think people are going to realize, if they haven’t already, that there really is no need to have an 8 hour work day when they can accomplish the same work in 4 hours at home. Going back to the office isn’t going to increase productivity. Just because you are in the office doesn’t mean you are working.

[AP]

I heard him say that and read others saying the same. I would agree with this to some extent but wouldn't you agree people need a work environment? The incentive to get up early and hit the job isn't there at home. My wife used to get to work at 8am.. Now shes doing well to start working by 10. Unless its your own business, l just see incentive wo actually work at home at a fraction of what it is at an office.

I think people are going to realize, if they haven’t already, that there really is no need to have an 8 hour work day when they can accomplish the same work in 4 hours at home. Going back to the office isn’t going to increase productivity. Just because you are in the office doesn’t mean you are working.

[mugofbeer]

Being at home definitely doesn't mean there is work being done.

[OKC Guy]

I think people are going to realize, if they haven’t already, that there really is no need to have an 8 hour work day when they can accomplish the same work in 4 hours at home. Going back to the office isn’t going to increase productivity. Just because you are in the office doesn’t mean you are working.

I disagree. There is lots of work done around water cooler or breakroom or in passing. So many little things that contribute to company are done in person. Some jobs can be done at home but most still need human interaction imo.

[RedDollar]

I heard him say that and read others saying the same. I would agree with this to some extent but wouldn't you agree people need a work environment? The incentive to get up early and hit the job isn't there at home. My wife used to get to work at 8am.. Now shes doing well to start working by 10. Unless its your own business, l just see incentive wo actually work at home at a fraction of what it is at an office.

My wife is working from home, and trying her best to make it work so well, that it will become permanent.