To think our new normal could be a better way of life?

[Wehttam]

Ok first of all, hear me out. Maybe this is hypothetical fantasy but I think it has merit.

As we are adjusting to Lockdown and both its benefits and disadvantages, I have started thinking about how civilisation may be able to use this as a starting point for a new way of life, accepting the previous 24/7 have it all lifestyle is fundamentally poisonous to our wellbeing.

I fully understand this is a global pandemic and is catastrophic for many people, losing loved ones, suffering illness and the fear of how this could potentially affect many people’s lives going forward economically is a worry no one wants or needs, I am not minimising this nor am I advocating for blanket suffering or pain before you come for me.

Environmentally this is momentarily allowing the planet to slowly recover from one of its biggest problems, Us. Look outside, the air is cleaner already, the noise we had so become used to has quietened, our frantic pace of living has slowed, for most of us this will have untold health benefits as well as benefits to nature we will see manifest further over the coming weeks.

I fully appreciate how for many people this is an uncertain time, those suffering DV or poverty are living in hell, the situation right now is unpeeling the veneer society generally paints over these problems though. What if our new reality was to help those who are vulnerable and suffering but still maintain this level of calm muted living.

Excessive commuting, over consumption of single use anything, traffic everywhere, takeaways, shops, bars clubs, restaurants catering for every niche or whim, flying everywhere incessantly, worrying about having he latest this or that, which all means sweet FA at the moment. What it all boils down to is all of that was needless to actually live and breathe properly wasn’t it?

Eventually once Lockdown starts to be lifted, are you willing to go back to that chaos the outside world had become? I’m not so sure I am and I dont think it will be any good for those who do. Thoughts?

Actually, the Bank of England have done a u-turn and started printing money 3 days after they explicitly said they wouldn't, so buy your wheelbarrows everyone for when bread costs £300 trillion.

Wheelbarrows are NOT an essential good. I'm telling on you to Cambridgeshire Police.

I'm actually kinder OP, in my question I offered you a wage even if it's just minimum wage.
So will you quit your job, or if you don't have one apply for one of these worthier jobs in the sectors that need them?

Beijing how lovely to see you, welcome! I hope you are well?

I haven’t suggested we are a communist country, merely that some industries for the time being will have to be hibernated until things return to a safe way or being normal.

What your point misses is that more or less every country in the world is in the same situation, some worse others better off so eventually money may have to be printed, the same across the world in order to maintain a level of civility and cohesion until they figure out how to manage this virus.

Nice to see you here though 😁

And what were you doing to help the vulnerable members of society before COVID19, OP?

Princess thankfully I work in an industry not impacted by the virus so the risk of losing my job right now is a lot lower than the ones in indursties that will suffer as a result of this. So to answer your point, no I can still keep working, I am lucky as many here are too, through no fault of their own except they work in jobs not affected by the impact this virus.

If my job was in danger or I lost it and I was at risk of not earning money or being on a low UC then of course I would take any job going, which I kind of hope others would too? Is that a bad thing?

It's all a bit
"Let them eat cake"
Isn't it

And you're telling people that they have to leave jobs they enjoy and pay the bills with
But you wouldn't do the same

Hoffi regularly donating to the food bank, fundraising for local cancer hospital and helping to care for my DM who passed from cancer. My DP is a teacher who works with disadvantaged children in the community too to make sure they are well looked after at home.

So not that much really.

If my job was in danger or I lost it and I was at risk of not earning money or being on a low UC then of course I would take any job going, which I kind of hope others would too? Is that a bad thing?

Do you think there will be the number of jobs though for the people looking?

Ah ok, it’s a bit “I’m alright Jack”. You and your husband won’t be affected so it doesn’t matter that other people’s jobs and industries will disappear

Hobnobs not sure what are you on about or implying? I’m not saying they have to leave jobs they enjoy, it’s about working elsewhere if their jobs are on hold because of measures from a prolonged impact of the virus. Is that a taboo suggestion?

What are all these tens of thousands of redeployed "volunteers " going to do?
Who will coordinate their work?
Who pays for all of this?

OP don't rise to the haters.

I think you have been fair in your question which clearly states that you are aware of all the hardships and various circumstances but whether overall some positives might arise. And I think there will be some positives and some negatives. Dull on the fence but there we are.

MigginsMs another friend from elsewhere on here! How the devil are you? I hope you and your family are all safe and well 😁😘

It’s not I’m alright jack at all so don’t even start with that one. Read through my posts on here and the posts of others, we are all concerned but hopefully that the new normal will be a positive one for a lot more than the old normal.

Thank you @Therabble it’s annoying how the same characters come out to play on every thread just to derail. It’s almost like the selectively read what they want to see 🙄🤐

I think society will have to eventually redeploy those who worked in minimum wage roles in bars, restaurants, shops, cinemas etc to reduce the workload in the services which matter

So why don’t these other industries “matter”? Are things that enrich our lives and bring us well being and happiness not important too? Can people no longer get to do jobs they enjoy and have to do something worthy instead?

Your version of the future sucks OP!

Thank you @Wehttam we are all fine, hope you are keeping well too.

it’s about working elsewhere if their jobs are on hold because of measures from a prolonged impact of the virus. Is that a taboo suggestion?

I’ve already told the husband he’ll be fruit picking. 🤨

I dunno, bit of a difference between "your job is temporarily on hold" and "give up on your job entirely because in the future we will no longer need fripperies like shops", isn't there?

@GoldenOmber try explaining that one to those working in bars, clubs, gyms etc. The chances of them going back to work this year are probably slim to zero maybe not even until there is a cure or vaccine in place.

OP, I agree with you. The trouble is we’re wishing for a wholesale economic and social restructure, which I imagine ain’t gonna happen....... unless enough people dream dreams / God moves people’s hearts to love their neighbour instead of focusing on themselves.

Whatever. But when you see someone think it would be great to see a chunk of your family income go down the shitter just because it would fit in with their lovely idea of a “new normal”. My husband is furloughed as his work has been closed by the government, at the moment that’s fine but of course if that dried up he’d do something else, notwithstanding the impact on his well-being from possibly having to do something he hates. This might be a “new normal” but it may equally also be shit.

I get the impression that you won’t be happy unless this virus causes the maximum damage possible in every way. I don’t know why you seem to revel in it so much.

I agree to a certain extent OP but most people are too hedonistic and prioritise their own pleasure and wants above the needs of the planet. Plus, the economies of the world would tank.