by Merriah DuBois
The effects of COVID-19 have left and will leave a significant mark on history. The year 2020 will likely be remembered as the beginning of an age of preparing for the worst and will usher in a new age of technological dependency.
The Coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed day to day life. Nobody is left unscathed. Unfortunately, it goes without saying that every individual in the state of California is likely to have their frustrations about the whole situation, but why are we upset when we are healthy? Perhaps you may not know anyone who is infected and maybe you’re concerned that it could possibly be you. The unforeseen effects of this came in like a wave for everyone. Everyone was forced to adapt their day to day lives. A lot of people feel as though the change to working online or from home, businesses closing their doors, and schools being canceled is the worst thing that could possibly happen to them. Whether you revel in the idea of separating yourselves from others or thrive on social interactions, it can’t be underestimated how dependent we all are on everyday technology.
We live in a busy body society with smartphones, computers, tablets, etc.
Screens are an integral part of our daily lives. Even if we don’t realize it, these days we are constantly occupied, wirelessly engaged in the world through our electronics more than we care to think about. Stimulation is the main focus of the things we do. Seemingly you’ll know someone or perhaps yourself that needs to check emails or messages the second we hear the ring of a notification.
This is the turmoil of our 21st-century comfort that most of our energy is consumed by. The luxury of our virtual resources has us engaged in all kinds of media. The news is everywhere and someone across the world is a text away. Your work can all be done from your couch, shopping is a task you don’t have to leave your house for. Our world can be accessed through the use of technology if we allow it.
COVID-19 has been a real eye-opener to the technology we need in our lives more so than the technology we want. What used to be a hobby is now a mandatory activity used in all the things we do. Replacing the act of face to face social interaction which itself is a necessity. We are pride driven beings that thrive on engaging learning, physical availability and verbal stimulation that make our work and relationships fulfilling and purposeful.
Now that the use of technology is no longer a choice, but a necessity, it has become a drag. Social distancing has never been a new act we do as people. We have always been naturals to avoid confrontation- but having the option and the free will to shut ourselves in has made all of us feel like we’ve been grounded long term by our parents. People have different needs as individuals, but everyone has a certain need implemented by diversity. Thanks to technology being a necessity In terms of business, COVID-19 is a pivot point for having to 'figure out a balance for what’s important. Having to plan and adapt accordingly in order to get paid,’’ says a private music instructor. For the career of a private music instructor that deals with technology to record and select music for her students, most importantly has to interact face to face with her students. ”In my profession, people come to me vulnerable in search of a secure and private environment. That’s my responsibility as a teacher. As a businesswoman, it will require thinking out of the box.”
This is an important time for technology. Probably the most important as it has ever been in order to function as a society and in need of supply and demand because this virus puts us at a halt. It just means we have to work harder. Some of the concerns with this will be that if people want to make an income they will have to alter the way they do business by using technology. Some of those disadvantages can be the limitations it has on some careers. Dr. Kimberly Jones, Ed.D LMFT says conducting therapy sessions on-line is a struggle because of less personal interaction. Private Music and Voice Instructor, Kristi Foss does not consider herself to be a very technical person but acknowledges the need to use technology in order to stay relevant and build her business of the future. As advancements are made and certain needs occur change is our friend to do what we have to.
Steven Wendell, an Information technology specialist has another perspective. “Social distancing is forcing us all to learn in business and personally. Some older people I work with will not have the tools to learn among the stress quickly and some people get let go of their jobs. As a lot of people are these days. Unlike those who are younger will have an easier time adapting and adopting.” It’ll be younger people’s responsibility to influence those who will struggle to find ways to help those who will need it. He also, mentions that in business, you will adapt to change. “Everyone who is affected by this will have to meet a need to connect virtually. My boss is 64 which isn’t considered that old but will have to struggle to keep up with the times. But thanks to the help of younger people he can do it.” The use of technology makes up a lot of jobs most of us are exposed to the tools but, don’t know how to use them. The job of an IT specialist involves showing people how to make those tools work. Sometimes that’s setting up computers and software and maintaining them.
It doesn’t need to be emphasized that this will be a difficult transition but there will be lots of positive outcomes that come from the change due to COVID-19. Rather if you are a student, teacher or both. Facing obstacles such as COVID-19 will require sacrifice to keep people doing what they love. People can use this as something they can do to potentially develop ourselves better. Teaching us how to balance our lives using technology to create opportunities and our creativity when faced with struggle. It’s been expressed by many that we are dependent on what we are used to. Now it’s time to break away from that. These circumstances, however long, should be used to humble ourselves and learn and be sure to not take technology for granted and use it to help each other.
This has been the first pandemic seen in modern-day where we have the gift of technology. The first major pandemic to make a global uprising was the influenza pandemic during 1918. People didn’t have the technological resources we have available to us now. We are able to do things a lot faster. All of our advancements so far have worked towards that end. Faster communication, faster news feed. The spread of information and support has brought us further in ways that make dealing with this pandemic easier. There have been times that civilizations were unable to keep each other informed during deadly outbreaks. We have less to worry about because we have access to the resources we have now.
While our reliance on technology has its drawbacks, the availability of it in this day and age has made dealing with the adjustments brought on by COVID-19 much easier on many people it’s allowed us to communicate, work, and play together more than we ever have as a society. It is important that we only use this to focus on the more important things during this time of hardship. Remembering that we are lucky to have the technology we do but, our world doesn’t have to revolve around it. As many are struggling we can’t forget that we can’t do it all by ourselves. That when things are hard we grow. As we find ways to get by using that will make this all easier. Maybe when all is said and done society will learn to realize how much we need technology. As we look forward to the future we will have
healthy and balanced ways of using our technology.