Which measures would you like to stay in place once Corona is "over"?

[BelfastSmile]

I just had to collect a parcel from Currys. I'd ordered online. I received an email, which contained a link; when I arrived at the store, I parked in one of the collection bays, opened the email, clicked the link, and they brought my parcel out. Very smooth and easy. Made me wonder whether they'll keep it in place once Corona measures are gone; I hope they do, because it was very easy!

What other measures do you think should be kept?

A one way system in supermarkets should be used the week before Christmas every year, wouldn't want them to stay all year round though.

QR code’s for menus in restaurants. Will be much easier to update. Some places even with ordering via the internet via their QR code

Also waiters putting your wine on the table and not constantly coming to pour a glass for you to minimize their contact. Much prefer it.

I also love it being reasonable to glare at people who stand right up behind you in queues. Give me space. I like my space, and I dislike people.

Not having to sign for parcels- we have a rather nervous rescue dog (in training) so being parcels being left in the doorstep (usually with a cheery wave through the window- our local delivery driver is lovely!) rather than an knock at the door means far less barking.

YYY to distance when queuing- I've no idea why some people have previously wanted to stand so close.

Part of my job includes an after hours meetings every few months (for various business specific reasons this is needed)- we've already agreed that we'll keep these as video meetings. It means less time and expense travelling, no stress of finding parking places, non need to arrange child care and meetings tend to me shorter as it's not as tempting to go off topic/spend 20 mins making drinks etc.

Also, in my local area this crisis seems to have brought out a real desire to support local businesses and in turn for local businesses to support each other and adapt a bit to make that easier (eg putting details of what they stock on websites/social media, businesses working together for deliveries/putting together joint hampers etc). I'd like to see these collaborations continue.

@Springersrock

I like the e-consult that my GP surgery has introduced. No trying for hours to get through, you can send photos if needed, and they call for a telephone appointment or a same day surgery appointment

Also like Zoom parents evenings

Yes, I was just about to say these two as well. You literally could never get an appointment at our GP, e-consult is excellent for reasonably simple things. Tell them what's the matter, suggest what you'd like them to do and they call you back or send a prescription directly to your local pharmacy. No more calling 837 times at 8am to be told nothing left, try again tomorrow!

Also what's not to love about zoom parents evenings?!

Better work/ life balance & being able to do the odd school run.
Much prefer online first approach at the doctors. I rarely need to actually see them as it’s always the same 2 or 3 things.
Better school communication through apps, not relying on bits of paper to make it home.
Working from home being normalised for those who want it.
Click and collect from more shops for when you are in a hurry.

Oh and a couple of online conferences have been great. One I would t have bothered travelling to but was able to dip in and out. The other had a much greater level of participation than usual, I think people felt better asking their questions on zoom as we went through than standing up at a QA afterwards.

Being able to email my doctor's surgery and phone appointments where appropriate.

I'd quite like some of my meetings to stay on Zoom.

SD in shops.

@Baycob

Quiet roads

^ This. My morning commute has been so much easier.

Our immune system needs to come into contact with other people and germs and bactiera.

By sanatising everything and reducing social contact we are setting ourselves up for a whole list of other problems.

We need to move to a more natural lifestyle. Less cleaning products, less chemicals - not more.

How about HS2 being cancelled, as in Boris's Brave New World, we're not allowed "unnecessary" travel?

I'd say possibly the increased hygiene, but apart from that, none of it. The whole rotten saga has gone on long enough, and I will be joining any groups which are watching the government to make sure that Covid mandates are not made permanent by stealth, especially the bloody muzzles masks.

And one thing that must not stay in place is Boris Johnson. As soon as he's covered himself in the glory of having "cured" Covid, which he is desperately trying to hang on long enough for, he can fuck off and do one, preferably taking his entire band of merry men with him. Bonus points if he's ousted before some resemblance of normal happens, perhaps if the press catch him having a Christmas party.

And drive-thru flu jabs. Much nicer to queue in my warm car, than stand in the cold and rain outside the surgery for an hour.

I like our gyms booking system.
Previously it was a free for Allan at certain times it was heaving.

I'm not bothered about hand sanitizer in the shops. Most aren't pleasant,I'd rather use my own.

• Our immune system needs to come into contact with other people and germs and bactiera.

From what I've read, animals and a bit of dirt work for this without exposing you to human pathogens. So stroking muddy dogs needs to be encouraged.

Agree with the telephone appointments with GPs. Far easier for all involved to do some things over the phone.

Being able to pay with your phone when you are ready in resturants, instead of having to wait and try and get the waiter's attention.

Working from home - I did most of my week from home anyway but I would happily never go to the office again.
I like being able to do the majority of doctors appointments over phone or video. There are some you need to be seen for but loads you don't. I do have more than my fair share (disability) so the time saved in not physically going and waiting has been significant.
I would definitely like virtual parents evening too, especially at secondary where you don't see their work.

One thing I have really enjoyed is the movement of work conferences and webinars being the default. Travelling to them is complicated and expensive so being able to join from home has been great.

I hope the massive reduction in business travel remains, and the ability for people to work from home a lot more if they wish. I would also love it if my work permanently replace the Christmas party with John Lewis vouchers!

increased hygiene in public places
social distancing
table service in pubs/cafes
working in 'bubbles' instead of having the whole team in the office (its so peaceful and non-stressy)

Table service in pubs, I hate queuing at the bar

I'd like the GP system and secondary school parents evening to stay (virtual parents eve for y10 was fantastic this year, all done in 45 mins at the kitchen table).

Zoom to be an option for meetings where it's difficult for all to attend in person.

No to zoom yoga and pilates classes though, they are much better in person.

Also no to WFH from me, I only did it for a few weeks and hated it.

Home working
Limiting numbers and time at soft play!

Masks on public transport. Reduces people breathing over you with bad breath and it’s more difficult to hold long mundane conversations on your mobile. I know I am not being realistic but I am hoping

Also what's not to love about zoom parents evenings?!

I found them stilted, awkward and less candid.

Table service in pubs..thats nice!

Remain wfh. My job is not easier wfh (no printer) and it costs me to wfh (heating, electric and I had zero commute costs or lunch cost at work) but there are no office politics so it's worth it.
Social distancing in pubs/cafés. I love the space. I always hated ppl being too close.

• e-consult for gp but with more ability to see patients when needed. I’ve used it quite a bit and it has been amazing for the smaller things but early on in the pandemic, my baby hit a fever of 40, rash and rapid breathing. No bugger would see her so we ended up in A&E after waiting 7 hours for a call back from 111.
• working from home
• I have liked less faffy nursery drop-offs. Before I had to go in, faff around, chat to other kids, drag child away from friends etc. Now it’s just at the door and is very orderly.
• I like the concept of staggered school starts and the car park is better but my daughter has lost 30 mins each day and I’m not sure that should carry on.

The process thing I least like is children’s activities and standing in the cold, not being able to use changing rooms/toilets etc. It makes everything a real pain as I’ve got to collect from school, go home and then go on to the activity rather than just going straight to places. I hope that disappears as I’m fed up of hanging around in car parks with a toddler to facilitate the older one.