We will take illness seriously
Prior to COVID-19 some people saw sick days as a sign of weakness. Some people would proudly rock up to work, congested and disgusting. They'd brag about doing such great work while being sick and they spluttered and coughed all over the place. Hopefully working while sick and infectious will be considered impolite and selfish - not a mark of a dedicated or talented worker.
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Outside of the workplace, perhaps we will normalise wearing masks if we have any symptoms.
We'll ask before physical contact
The social distancing rules will die hard. From high-fives, to handshakes, to hugs, it will be a while before some won't have a cold shot of fear when someone leans in for a handshake.
Yet, some people long for their first post-COVID hug. How can we balance the desire for safety and the desire for human contact? By asking, verbally, before you initiate contact.
While that may sound robotic, many among us are quietly celebrating that physical contact is a choice, not an expectation.
We will prioritise personal space
We hated man-spreaders and people who thought their handbag deserved a seat. But maybe they were onto something. Being close to strangers is going to feel wrong for some time after COVID.
This means commuters may not sit next to strangers on buses and light rail. People will wait for another one that is less crowded, and prioritise comfort and safety over speed.
We will keep embracing takeaway
Professor Peter Collignon suggested in May that to prevent a second wave people should bring their own food and cutlery when going over to a friend's place.
Unless you have specific dietary requirements, it is a gauche thing to do. However there's an easier way to avoid eating other people's food - takeaway.
The host doesn't need to spend ages cooking or cleaning, you can eat from the containers and alleviate all guilt by reminding yourself that you are supporting local business.
We will view cancelling differently
Before COVID-19 the 11th-hour "hey, actually I can't make it to your party" message was the epitome of rudeness. Post-COVID, cancelling on your friends to stay home if you're tired or on the edge of an illness will be seen as less disappointing. However, with patron limits last-minute cancellations for restaurants will be ruder than ever.
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We'll ease off the 'stay safe'
"Stay safe", "Be well" - these have been the new default email signoffs during the pandemic, regardless of the content of the email. Post-COVID these sign-offs will sound too intimate and disingenuous in an email. Do you really care about the health of a colleague you've barely met? We've started saying "stay safe" in real life to checkout staff, food delivery people, Uber drivers, and others on the front line. Has stay safe really acknowledged the work of service staff or is it a performance to make us feel better?
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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