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New Normal in the Age of Coronavirus

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New Normal in the Age of Coronavirus

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Until a successful vaccine is found against the new Coronavirus, certain aspects of our lives, including healthcare, will never be the same.

Published At June 4, 2020
Reviewed AtAugust 2, 2023

Overview:

With lockdowns being lifted, experts are busy finding a way to stop the rapid spread of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. Scientists and pharma companies are racing against time to find a vaccine, and various treatment options are also being tried out. In spite of these efforts, both a cure or vaccination might take quite some time to be made available. Looking at the situation now, it seems this Coronavirus will be with us for a while, and we might have to learn to live with it. This means we have to get used to living a completely different lifestyle in the near future. Humans are not used to such drastic changes, as most of the major changes that have occurred through these years happen at a glacial pace. But, the changes that COVID-19 has brought with it is lightning fast.

Everybody is wondering when things will go back to normal. But have you imagined what this new normal will look like? Nobody has a clear answer to this question. One thing is clear that our era will be divided into before COVID-19 and the new world that will emerge after this pandemic. In this article, let us explore what the new normal will be like.

What Are the Things That Have Changed?

Our behavior, culture, and economy have definitely changed. Some of the other changes that have occurred so far are:

  1. Overburdened Healthcare System - With the rising number of deaths due to COVID-19, our hospitals and healthcare system have reached their breaking point. Coronavirus is spreading like wildfire, and hospitals are crumbling under the caseload.

  2. Increased Mental Health Disorders - Isolation, quarantine, and the fear of getting infected have triggered various mental health disorders. Depression, anxiety, anger, frustration, and panic attacks are becoming very common.

  3. Social Isolation - Let’s face it, we have started to get anxious when we see crowded places. We avoid shaking hands and meeting other people as much as possible. All these are essential to prevent COVID-19, but it has also led to social isolation.

  4. Early or Unexpected Deaths - People are and might lose their lives, loved ones, or acquaintances at an exponential rate. COVID-19 has already resulted in the death of thousands of people around the globe. If the virus is not contained soon enough, we might see a jump in the death rate.

  5. Improved Personal Safety and Hygiene - Because of the fear of getting infected with the new Coronavirus, most people are paying more attention to personal hygiene. Social distancing and good hand hygiene help in preventing numerous other infectious diseases.

  6. Economic Damage - With most of the offices and shops being shut down or working partially, and job loss, COVID-19 has damaged the economy badly. Even after this pandemic, the economy will not grow as fast as we would like.

  7. Worldwide Shortages of Commodities - As companies are working with limited staff and work timings getting reduced, we are facing a global shortage of essential products and other commodities. Panic buying and hoarding of essential goods can also result in such shortages.

  8. Less or No Travel - Almost all countries have banned international travel, and even interstate travel is being monitored.

  9. Increase in Remote Work - With most companies asking their employees to work from home, people are likely to spend more time in their “home office” or find jobs that require them to work remotely.

  10. Less Globalization - Due to strict border rules, international travel, cross-border trade, and flow of investments have been affected.

  11. Improved Environment - A dramatic change in the environment has been noted as CO2 emission is exponentially reduced. This is due to closed factories, and no flight, car, or train.

How Has This Pandemic Affected the Healthcare System?

The following are some ways this pandemic will and has affected the healthcare system:

  1. As the risk of the spread of this new Coronavirus is high in a hospital setting, most patients have canceled or postponed non-essential appointments to a later date. Most practices are only catering to emergency cases, and are postponing non-essential appointments.

  2. Children and adults might not get vaccinated in time, putting them at a higher risk of infectious diseases.

  3. A few unfortunate patients are not consulting doctors because of the cost that comes with a visit and medicines during this crisis.

  4. Isolation and quarantine have resulted in an increase in mental health disorders and other illnesses. A study found an increased risk of developing dementia, coronary heart disease, death due to cancer, and stroke.

  5. Some chronically ill patients have reportedly canceled important appointments due to the fear of COVID-19.

Is Telemedicine the New Normal in Healthcare?

Telemedicine is not a new concept, and it has been around for some time now. Because consulting a doctor online used to be thought of as a far fetched idea, most people were reluctant to use it. With most of the local clinics closed and hospitals dealing with COVID-19 patients, telemedicine has emerged as a new hope for people during this pandemic. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of patients using telemedicine platforms for primary care has drastically increased.

Telemedicine is rapidly substituting in-office doctor visits. Patients prefer consulting a doctor over a video or audio call through their smartphones or desktops. We do not mean to say that this will completely overtake the need to consult a doctor in-person or to visit the emergency room because it cannot. Many illnesses and conditions need the doctor to physically examine the patient before suggesting a treatment plan. But, telemedicine will help in addressing conditions early, which might reduce the number of patients needing emergency care.

Psychiatric patients who need counseling regularly or geriatric patients who might find it difficult to travel or might need others to take them for regular doctor’s appointments might greatly benefit from consulting doctors virtually. They can talk and ask doubts to the doctor from the comfort of their table, rather than traveling all the way every time. This cuts down the waiting time and crowded waiting area in the doctor’s office, thus reducing the exposure to other sick and contagious patients.

The patient has to touch a lot of doors, handles, and surfaces during the journey from the home to the clinic, which again increases the risk of infectious diseases like COVID-19. Telemedicine helps provide quality care, improves health outcomes, lowers the cost of healthcare, and allows patients to live a healthier life.

Conclusion:

Despite the efforts, a vaccine seems distant and social distancing, isolation, wearing protective gear, and changing our usual way of life seems to be the only logical solutions. Not only healthcare, but most offices, schools, and colleges are looking into new and innovative ways to introduce the contactless or virtual system in place during this global crisis, which very well may become the new normal!

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

How Did COVID Affect Mental Health?

Covid has introduced a pandemic situation that has greatly impacted the human race. This has greatly impacted the financial state, educational field, and social life of individuals. This all has combined to affect the mental health of the people.

2.

How Long Does COVID Last?

Individuals with Covid-19 usually get better within a few to two weeks. Mild covid can subside sooner than covid with severe complications and other systemic conditions. Managing the symptoms and underlying conditions can help in recovery soon.

3.

Is Cough Without Fever COVID?

Cough with fever is one of the most common symptoms of Covid-19, but the infection can also occur with cough and no symptoms of fever or no fever at all or with a low-grade fever in the initial days.

4.

How Long Will COVID Cough Last?

The individuals who test for the Covid-19 variant typically experience symptoms within a couple of weeks. Individuals have long Covid 19 symptoms and experience coughs for four and more weeks after the infection.

5.

What Is the New Normal in COVID-19?

A year after the pandemic emerged, individuals are forced to adapt to the new normal and setting that offers work from home, children’s schooling has been blended in an online setting, and people are adapting to quarantine and lockdown. And adapted to wearing face masks and face shields in public places.

6.

What Is the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Students?

Covid 19 has a great impact on the students as students have faced a different aspect of education. Virtual education has created a great benefit, but the students did feel the lack of schooling environment as well as failure in socialization.

7.

How Is the COVID Cough?

Covid cough is mostly dry, and the chest feels heavy, and the cough can be felt, caused by the most common cause. Some individuals may have a cough with thick mucus (phlegm), which can make it difficult to control the cough.

8.

How to Get Rid of COVID Cough?

Covid cough can be treated by some home remedies like inhaling steam, staying hydrated, lying on either side flat as this helps to drain the phlegm, try moving around with phlegm, try different breathing techniques. These steps can help with getting rid of cough.

9.

What Are the Home Solutions for COVID Cough?

Humidifier, vaporizer, taking a hot shower, and means of making steam. This remedy can soothe a sore throat and open the airways and make it easier to breathe. Having a frozen treat, coldness can help numb the pain and soothe the throat from coughing.

10.

What Helps COVID Recovery?

Managing a cough with covid can help in recovery. Cough drops, hot water, Vicks vapor rub, and hot tea with lemon can help to reduce symptoms. Drinking plenty of fluids can help to stay dehydrated and helps with recovery.

11.

How to Overcome the Pandemic?

A pandemic is not an easy situation to overcome. Talking to trusted persons, family members, and friends can help an individual feel better. Feeling, understanding, and accepting the situation can help to overcome the pandemic.

12.

How to Know COVID Is Better?

Five days after the symptoms started, the symptoms subside. Fever reduces soon on medication. As the symptoms improve, there is improvement in taste and smell soon.

13.

Does Mild COVID Go Away?

Symptoms with covid usually go away and reduce gradually. Mild covid symptoms are easier to reduce than severe covid. Most individuals, around 80 percent, recover from this condition without any special treatment.

14.

What Is the Instant Way to Fight COVID?

Most cases of covid are recovered within a few days or within some weeks after the infection. Managing the symptoms alone can help to recover from covid fast.

15.

Is COVID Cough Dry or Wet?

Covid cough is a contagious cough and leads to prolonged duration of coughing episodes. This cough is common in individuals who are affected by the coronavirus. Most individuals have dry coughs, and they can feel it in their chest.
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Dr. Sneha Kannan
Dr. Sneha Kannan

Dentistry

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