Looking ahead to when this is over

[desperatetostaypositive]

Of course we don't know when it'll be back to "normal", or what that normal may be. But assuming at some point we get over this, what positives do you think we can draw from this?

I am a person who doesn't waste much, including food, but as a nation we are terrible at throwing away good food. I hope people will learn to be inventive with the foods they have, and use every last bit. And not let foods go off.

I hope the "neighbourliness" continues. I'm lucky, I live in an area where I know my neighbours and we do look out for each other, and so we should. But I hope community spirit prevails and continues.

And if the toilet roll situation teaches us anything, it should be that we probably use more per visit to the loo than we should, and could probably be a little more frugal.

Any one else?

I don't see much community spirit!

I hope that flying becomes more expensive and that we all think about the impact that regular "recreational" (and been incessant business) travel has on our planet.

I hope that we plough far more investment into research into superbugs, etc.

I hope that we diversify our food choices and make them more sustainable / less meat and dairy reliant...

I hope that as few of us as possible experience the death of loved ones, and that those that will do have the support to deal with the loss.

I hope that we can move forward as a nation.

I hope that everyone gets into the habit of washing their hands properly, like they should have been doing all along.

I'm definitely more aware now of making sure I use all my food (we cant afford to stock up).
I'm also thinking about growing some veg when this is all over. Maybe potatoes and carrots. Anything a total novice could grow.

I'm also hoping other people will wash their hands more. I've always been a big hand washer as I worked with small children but I know that a lot of people never seemed to bother.

I'm another one being more conscious of food waste, I froze the heels of the bread to make toast if needed (I don't normally eat toast) as well as a couple of stale bagels which could have been toasted.

Also the handwashing, I never used to wash my hands when I got home but do now.

Hopefully a general appreciation of what we do have and seeing we are very lucky as a nation in terms of wealth. I know a lot of people are going to struggle right now, maybe the population as a whole will see our safety net of SSP at around £94 a week is a pittance and campaign for change,

I think we will realise that many business decisions can be made effectively without ridiculous air travel for short meetings. It'll be interesting to see how emissions are reduced. Hopefully this will have a lasting positive effect for the planet.

I hope that public toilets get automatic main doors. I was amazed when I saw a manky bitch this morning use a public loo, not wash her hands and then used the door handle to leave the room. Madness.

I hope people realise that if they don't use small businesses and self-employed people regularly enough, they won't exist any more. Same with arts organisations, sports clubs, etc.

so many people cancelling everything now. Tutors, music teachers, therapists of various sorts, lots of people who have to be self employed because their services were cut from education or health care or whatever. If people don't pay for their regular sessions - whether they attend or not - there won't be anyone to go back to once it's over. Lots of people like music teachers etc get paid at the start of half term, and I know many are worried about next half term. And similar for so many other professions.

People want to freeze or pause lessons, childminding places ,therapy appointments ,etc until it's over, but lots of us won't be able to carry on with our work afterwards if people don't may in the meantime. We will have to try to find other jobs, sell up, move elsewhere, god knows what.

If you possibly can, think before you try to get refunds or cancel things. (I know that not everyone can, as their own jobs are at risk - but if possible)

I am looking forward to explaining in detail to those local businesses who have tried profiteering (£8 for a small bottle of hand sanitizer? Wankers!) exactly why I will not be spending a single penny in their shops ever again, if their businesses still exist at that point.

I hope to see improvements to SSP and the like, people at last seem to be realising how essential a true safety net is.

As I have well controlled OCD, I feel strangely validated by everyone doing what I would do anyway.

It’s only taken the threat of plague to get DH on board with hand washing, I hope that continues.

I've definitely realised how much food we waste at times. I'm about to attempt making jam for the first time ever with some berries which are too soft for me to want to eat. DH bought a huge tub of strawberries for 10p in the supermarket yesterday so going to try them in my second batch. I don't mind if it's not perfect as long as it cuts back on our waste and might be something I keep on doing with reduced price fruit if it turns out nice.

I’m hoping to see fewer people commuting by car, with more home working.

I think we will realise that more working from home and teleconferencing can be done without detriment to businesses.

I hope people continue to be more hygienic. I have been amazed at comments on here and on social media from people saying things such as they are making their children wash their hands when they come in. I can't believe that they don't already to that as a matter of course.

I am hoping that this will be a massive boost for working from home. Obviously not all jobs can be done remotely, but many can, and it's crazy to add to the pollution by commuting when it's not really necessary...

Lots of people in my local area are setting up WhatsApp groups to help those in the neighbourhood.

Another advantage is that (often older) people who’ve eschewed the internet are starting to realise that it’s important. My dad, who rarely goes online, has got to grips with online shopping over the weekend and has downloaded his bank’s app in case he needs to contact them about his account when the telephony call centre is closed and staff are working from home on emails/messaging etc. I’ve also set up his personal tax account with HMRC because he needs to pay them something before July and I suspect that he might not be able to ring them.

Hopefully these “online” habits will persist. People without internet are kind of marginalised.