Things we have learned from the last 7, weird days of lockdown

Most of us not on the UK front line have now been locked away for just over a week and have had to adapt almost every area of our lives that we took for granted.

Here are a few of my thoughts of the initial phases of the Coronavirus lockdown - and how we can look at the many positives that may arise out of a terrible situation.

1) People are being much nicer to each other

Differences which once seemed like major fault lines in society - like Brexit - are becoming petty, once people realise what a real life-or-death situation looks like. We’re now encouraging all our older relatives and friends to stay indoors in order to protect them. Long may it continue (thinking of each other, not locking old people inside!)

2) The unthinkable does happen

Who would have thought that the whole world would stop for several months? You’d have had good odds on that several months ago. However, after a crazy few days, people are starting to get back to the thoughts of how we can get through this, protect the NHS and keep us all safe.

3) New ways of working save countless livelihoods

If I said ‘zoom’ to you a month ago, would you have thought ice lollies or Ferraris? Now it’s a vital everyday tool to keep us all in touch with each other. Sometimes tech startups have clearly questionable uses - anyone remember Yo? - which receive huge valuations as venture capitalists desperately seek returns. However, Zoom shows that with a good idea, tech startups can have a significant impact on the way we all interact.

We’ve been working on virtual learning environments for clients in the public and private sectors over the past few months — and these will no doubt be the first of many as people seek to deliver services without having to travel. I can see this trend continuing, even once the current lockdown finishes.

4) The world will never be the same again

After the second world war, society could not tell women that they weren’t suited to working in factories and women’s employment began a sixty-year march towards equality (still marching, not there yet!). In the same way, employers won’t be able to tell their staff that their job isn’t suited to working from home, as we all have empirical evidence now. How will this impact the employment prospects of those living outside major cities or have caring roles for family members? Let’s see.

5) We all rely on each other far more than we thought

If anyone ever felt that they are masters of their own destiny, then they are surely thinking again. As well as healthcare staff being thanked, we have all seen cleaners, refuse collectors, shop assistants, farmers and countless others being recognised for the work they do which help us all; long may it continue. And the collapse in business for many sectors has shown how much we all depend on everyone in society in order to keep us all working.

6) We’re all going to have a massive party!

I shared on Twitter my thoughts on where people would want to meet up after this is all over (lunch in Rome’s Piazza Navona was the best offer). I think that we’ll all never be happier to return to our workplaces once we get the all-clear. When that happens, it’s a game of pool, a glass of Prosecco and Paninis from the Lace Market’s Hungry Pumpkin for whoever wants to turn up at our place later this year! 

Keep well.