COVID-19 Leftovers

Masks might be mandatory forever, unless we fix what is in the air.

Pic: Nonqaba waka Msimang

Masks will be one of the left-overs when the coronavirus has moved on, if it will. Health experts, provincial and federal governments will give us reasons to justify laws making masks mandatory, like seat belts.

Social distancing is another left-over which will also be with us for a long time in whatever shape or form. For example, we might be required to stand six feet apart at the grocery store and drugstore, but there will be other areas where it would be difficult to implement.

Hospitals. How do hospitals place beds six feet apart, when they don’t have enough hospitals or clinics? Build more hospitals? Not possible, not with shrinking budgets and land.

Cities will have to find land from somewhere to build hospitals. Libraries - which are municipal property in most countries - can provide the solution because less people use them now, thanks to cellphones and computers.

If social distancing becomes permanent after COVID-19, high rise car parks that serve shopping malls and office blocks will have to be renovated to make parking stalls six feet apart.

Impossible! It won’t come to that? We never thought it was possible not to go to hockey, football, soccer, baseball and basketball games, and coffee shops now, did we?

Planes might also be forced to adjust seats to six feet if social distancing becomes a permanent feature. Air Canada, Air France, Aer Lingus, American Airlines, SAA, Caribbean Airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas, WestJet the whole lot might be forced to buy new fleets.

Realistically though, affected industries especially airlines, won’t allow it because it will affect the bottom line. They will lobby against flying for 150 when they were used to carrying 300 passengers.

The above scenarios are a tip of the iceberg because of the ongoing duel, COVID-19 vs the economy. Whoever wins, it won’t be business as usual. There will be COVID-19 leftovers.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.