How will we live with the coronavirus?
How will we live with the novel coronavirus?
SCHOOL
AIR TRAVEL
SPORTING EVENTS
STORES
TRANSIT
OFFICES
GYMS
EATING OUT
CONTENT CREATORS Ken Miguel Alix Martichoux GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jeremy Stepp EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF DIGITAL CONTENT Kimberlee Sakamoto CONTENT INNOVATION DIRECTOR Brandon Behle VICE-PRESIDENT OF MARKETING Candace Hirleman COPYRIGHT KGO-TV, ABC, INC.
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The coronavirus has changed our world forever. What does it look like to "go back to normal" when normal is no longer? Going out to eat, catching a flight and commuting to work may never be the same. We spoke to experts across eight sectors of society to find out what life will look like moving forward.
Table Service
Your favorite restaurant may not look the same when it reopens. Many will need to reduce the number of tables that are available, space them out more, install partitions or seat people at every other table. These measures help create distance between diners.
No more plastic or reusable menus. Because the coronavirus can live on some surfaces for days, disposable paper menus will likely be needed for each customer.
Menu Please
Masked Service
Expect everyone working at the restaurant to be wearing a mask and possibly gloves. Workers in the kitchen will need to be spaced out by 6 feet. Staff will also need to be trained on the proper way to wear masks and remove them.
Reservations Only
If your favorite restaurant is popular, you probably won’t be able to grab a seat whenever you want. Reservations may be required to keep people from crowding doorways or bars. Since there will be fewer tables, you’ll have to plan ahead.
Pass the Salt
You probably won’t see condiments on your table anytime soon. Health officials want to reduce the number of items that multiple people come into contact with. You’ll have to ask for salt or pepper, and don’t be surprised if it comes in disposable, single-use packets.
Next: Schools
Main Menu
Even when dine-in service is allowed, not all restaurants will start table service immediately. Many restaurants need to turn over their tables a number of times to make ends meet, so opening up for table service may not make financial sense. Plus, they may not be able to afford to bring back all employees when they reopen.
Get Used to Takeout
EATING out
A whole new flavor to restaurants
Expect everyone working at the restaurant to be wearing a mask and possibly gloves. Workers in the kitchen will need to be spaced out by 6 feet. Staff will also need to be trained on the proper way to wear their masks and remove them.
You probably won’t see condiments on your table anytime soon. That’s because health officials want to reduce the number of items that multiple people can come into contact with. You’ll probably have to ask for salt or pepper, and don’t be surprised if it comes in disposable, single-use packages.
Employers will need to screen employees for illness, making sure they don’t have a fever, or other symptoms of COVID-19. Employees who are not feeling well must stay at home.
Screened Servers
Restaurants will need to have robust cleaning measures in place. This means thoroughly disinfecting your table after each meal. Staff will also need to routinely wash their hands and change any gloves, masks, or other protective equipment that may have been compromised.
Keeping it Clean
Don’t plan on any large gatherings; the number of people allowed at each table will likely be limited to protect staff and other guests. Establishments that provide outdoor seating may be able to accommodate somewhat larger groups.
Think Small
Next: Air Travel
Relearning how to teach
SCHOOLS
Schools may convert gymnasiums into massive classrooms in order to keep students as spread out as possible. Cloth masks and face coverings may be required as a new uniform of sorts, too.
Spread it Out
Class Outside
In Denmark, some teachers are holding class outside to give students more space to spread out comfortably and reduce the chances of spreading the virus.
If kids aren’t allowed to get close to each other, that means no more games of tag. Team sports and playgrounds are probably off limits, too. Perhaps kids will get creative and come up with a new generation of schoolyard games.
Recess Revised
Kids may not be allowed to go back to school all at once. Students may be assigned a group that only comes in for a couple hours a day or every other day, for example.
Staggered Schedules
With much less learning happening in the classroom, students can expect to have more homework and online study assigned.
Distance Learning Continues
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state is exploring the idea of bringing kids back to school as early as July to help combat “learning loss.”
Back-to-School Comes Early
If a teacher or student tests positive for the virus, schools will likely have to send everyone home and shut down for deep cleaning all over again.
School’s Out (Again)
If kids aren’t allowed to get close to each other, that means no more games of tag. Sports that share a ball and playgrounds are probably off limits, too. Perhaps kids will get creative and come up with a new generation of schoolyard games.
Next: Offices
The future of flying is up in the air
air travel
Just as the 9/11 terror attacks increased airport security screenings, the coronavirus pandemic will likely add another layer of health-related screenings for the forseeable future. One example is temperature scanning of passengers and crew. “I expect you will see airlines support a health screening,” said travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt. “But what they’ll say is, the passengers will pay for that.”
New Screenings
Home Self Screenings?
Some airlines are asking passengers to screen themselves before traveling. Passengers must certify that no one in their home has exhibited COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days. They must also check their temperature before heading to the airport and not travel if they have a fever.
Nearly every major carrier now requires passengers and crew to wear face coverings while on planes. Airport employees are also being asked to wear them.
Masks for Everyone
The days of cramped economy sections are over - for now. Airlines are blocking off seats on planes to create distance between passengers. Some are blocking off entire rows and capping capacity at 50%. If a flight is full, some airlines are notifying passengers and allowing them to change their plans at no cost.
Mid-air Social Distancing
Several carriers have started electrostatic spraying of all aircraft before each departure. The process creates a disinfectant fog that cleans virtually every surface in the cabin. Carriers have also started wiping down planes at the end of each day. But all this cleaning takes time, which means longer turnaround times and fewer, more expensive flights.
More Cleaning, but Fewer Flights
First class won’t be first anymore. To ensure passengers don’t have to walk past each other down cramped aisles, Delta has started boarding with passengers from the back of the plane to the front.
Backwards Boarding
Multiple airlines have suspended food and beverage service to reduce interactions between passengers and crew. With revenues plummetting, it's also a way to cut costs. Flight attendants may be handing out hand sanitizer and masks to passengers instead.
Farewell, Airline Food
More expensive commercial flights could drive people to explore semi-private options. Those flights tend to have fewer passengers, which could attract people for health and safety reasons. Early in the outbreak, semi-private airlines JSX said it saw a 20% boost in new bookings. Experts also expect these companies to bounce back sooner than commercial airlines.
The Rise of Private Jets?
With higher costs, fewer seats and fewer flights, experts are predicting airfares will likely double. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), predicts air fares will rise 43% to 54% in 2020, and that's just to help the airlines break even.
More Expensive Airfares
Air Travel
Just as the 9/11 terror attacks increased airport security screenings, the coronavirus pandemic will likely add another layer of health-related screenings for the forseeable future. One example is temperature scanning of passengers and crew.
Masks For Everyone
The days of cramped economy sections are over - for now. Airlines are blocking off seats on planes to create distance between passengers. Some are capping capacity at 50%. If a flight is full, some airlines are notifying passengers and allowing them to change their plans at no cost.
Some carriers have started electrostatic spraying aircraft before departure. The process creates a disinfectant fog that cleans virtually every surface in the cabin. Carriers have also started wiping down planes daily. All this cleaning takes time, which means longer turnaround times and fewer, more expensive flights.
Semi-private flights have fewer passengers, which could attract people for health and safety reasons. Early in the outbreak, semi-private airlines JSX said it saw a 20% boost in new bookings. Experts also expect these companies to bounce back sooner than commercial airlines.
With higher costs, fewer seats and fewer flights, experts are predicting airfares will likely double. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), predicts air fares will rise 43% to 54% in 2020.
Next: Transit
A new way to work
What's the point of leasing or buying a massive office space if it's no longer safe to fill it with people? Even after the pandemic, companies may continue to encourage teleworking to cut real estate costs. Companies may opt for smaller offices or to use co-working spaces where people only come in to collaborate or for in-person meetings.
HQ Overrated
Reimagined Workspaces
Many offices were structured to bring employees together, but in the era of social distancing employers need to keep them apart. Conference rooms and casual gathering areas may be closed or turned into workspaces. Plexiglass dividers may break up open floorplans.
Even after a vaccine is created, some work from home changes will remain permanent because there are cost benefits to the company. Also, now that companies see it can be done, they can offer work from home flexibility as a perk to retain or attract quality employees.
Work From Home Continues
If you were skating by on your interpersonal skills, things may not be as easy for you going forward. Without happy hours and watercooler chat, employees may have to put those soft skills on the backburner and focus on getting the job done instead.
Schmoozers Beware
The pandemic has forced many old-school companies to modernize and move more communication online. Those meetings that could have really been an email may actually end up being an email in the future.
Calendar Cleared
There will be no "take your daughter to work" days anytime soon. And you can probably forget about in-person client and vendor meetings, too. The last thing a business wants to do is close down again after reopening.
Restricting Visitors
Getting employees back in the office will also depend on a number of outside factors. Without schools open, reliable childcare or mass transit options, some employees just may not be able to physically come back into the office. Companies will also have to factor in underlying health conditions when deciding who should be called back in.
Outside Factors
The pandemic has forced the union of many people's personal and professional lives. Now that we've seen our coworkers juggling childcare and project deadlines, we may be more flexible going forward. Casual office dress codes could also be more common.
Work-Life Balance
On the other hand, if your boss gets used to you being online all the time, it may be harder to redraw those boundaries in a post-pandemic environment. Working remotely will make it harder for some to disconnect from work in their off-hours.
Always Online
What's the point of leasing or buying a massive office space if it's not safe to fill it with people? Even after the pandemic, companies may continue to encourage teleworking to cut costs. Companies may opt for smaller offices or use co-working spaces for occasional meetings.
A bumpy ride for the future
Service Slashed
Transit agencies slashed the number of trains and buses in service due to a massive drop in demand. Even as people go back to work, there could still be fewer buses and trains running – and far more cars on the road.
If a bus has too many people on it, they’ll pass you by at the bus stop. AC Transit has been limiting the number of passengers on their buses (as few as 6 people on a 30’ bus, as many as 16 on a 60’ articulated coach), as has VTA.
Passenger Limits
Face Coverings Required
If you don’t have a mask or makeshift face covering, you may not be allowed on the bus or train.
Paused Fare Collection?
Some buses have moved to rear-boarding only to maintain social distance from the driver. In many cases, that means no fare collected.
Early Shutdown
Trains and buses are being disinfected at the end of the line and deep cleaned at the end of the day. All of that extra cleaning could mean reduced late-night service to give workers more time to sanitize before the morning commute.
Transit
Next: Sporting Events
Transit agencies – especially BART – depend on rider fares for funding. A massive drop in ridership means they’re not collecting ticket fares and looking at a big budget shortfall in the near future.
Financial Fallout
Essential workers who used to take public transit for a late-night ride home have a new option in San Francisco: the city will call them a taxi and foot the bill.
Taxis for Essential Workers
Professional sports on timeout
The NBA is in a holding pattern, but the Warriors' Steve Kerr tells us they aren't expecting to play any more games. The NBA could call for playoffs based on current standings. The tournament would likely be held in a city where each team can occupy their own hotel. But there won't be any tickets; these games would play to empty arenas.
Next: Stores
Being part of the crowd won’t be part of the fan experience. Because of the ban on large groups, going to an arena or stadium to watch your favorite sport isn’t going to happen. All the major sports are now looking for ways to get fans more involved as they eye the possibility that games will be televised live without an audience. American leagues are looking to Asia for answers; Japan’s baseball teams have been playing to empty stadiums for weeks.
No Fans
Practice Alone
In a memo circulated to teams, the NBA outlined a lengthy list of safeguards for practice: no more than four players permitted at a facility at one time; coaches and players must remain 12 feet apart; only one player per basket allowed; and two players cannot shoot on the same basket.
The MLB is looking at the feasibility of isolating entire teams, including management staff for the entire season to keep people from being exposed to the coronavirus. For Spring Training, they could relocate players to an area where outbreaks have been small and set up camp for the season.
Team Isolation
In Germany, teams will be testing players for the coronavirus before every game. The Bundesliga soccer league has targeted a May return for games without spectators. Officials say it will cost about $3 million to administer 25,000 coronavirus tests on a weekly basis to the league's 1,100 players.
Pregame Tests
Protocol for the phased reopening of NFL facilities includes daily screening of employees, visitors, contractors, etc., who must answer questions and have temperatures checked upon arrival. Baseball just resumed in South Korea (KBO League), and some soccer teams in Europe are also having their their temperatures checked daily.
Daily Screenings
The NBA is in a holding pattern, but the Warriors' Steve Kerr tells us they aren't expecting to play any more games this season. The NBA could call for playoffs based on current standings. The tournament would likely be held in a city where each team can occupy its own hotel. There wouldn't be any tickets; these games would play to empty arenas.
Basketball Season Ends
You’ll likely see masks on umpires, referees, and coaches. In sports that allow for it, assistant coaches over 65 could coach from a box in the upper level like they do in football.
Masks Required
Sports where athletes don't interact with other participants are likely to get greenlighted to resume sooner than team sports. Horseracing was allowed to resume in early May. Even for solo sports, no fans will not be allowed in the stands to watch.
Solo Sports
High fives will be a thing of the past for now, as will celebrating with a group of friends. Because social distancing rules will require people who are not in the same household to stay away from each other, celebrating victories and pregame riuals will need to be done in small groups or virtually for the time being.
Celebrations On Hold
Professional Sports on Timeout
Because of the ban on large groups, going to an arena or stadium to watch sports isn’t going to happen. All the major leagues are looking for ways to get fans more involved without having a live audience. American leagues are looking to Asia for answers; Japan’s baseball teams have been playing to empty stadiums for weeks.
Protocol for the phased reopening of NFL facilities includes daily screening of employees and visitors who must answer questions and have temperatures checked upon arrival.
The NBA is in a holding pattern, but the Warriors' Steve Kerr tells us they aren't expecting to play any more games this season. The NBA could call for playoffs based on current standings. The tournament would likely be held in a city where each team can occupy its own hotel. There wouldn't be any fans, just empty arenas.
High fives will be a thing of the past for now, as will celebrating with a group of friends. Because social distancing rules require people who are not in the same household to stay away from each other, celebrating victories and pregame riuals will need to be done in small groups or virtually.
Celebrations on Hold
Retail won't be business as usual
Stores
Businesses that can't let people in to browse will turn that problem on its head by doing the shopping for you. You can let them know what you're looking for, your measurements and budget and they can curate a collection of things for you to take home and try on.
Personal Shopping
Curbside Pickup
At least in the beginning, most small retail stores will only be able to do curbside pickup. You’ll call ahead or place an order online and employees will hand off the goods to you on the sidewalk.
Retailers that are allowing people inside will need to rearrange furniture and displays to space things out, making sure it’s possible for customers to always maintain 6 feet of distance.
Space It Out
You may not be allowed to pick up products, try on clothes or sample things the way you used to. For example, all beauty samples at Macy’s will only be displayed for customers to look at – not try on.
Look, Don’t Touch
Some retailers will do business by appointment only, so you can browse or try on clothing without too many others in the store.
Reservation Only
You may have a retail worker chaperoning you through the new protocols. At Best Buy, an employee will call you before your appointment to explain safety measures, check you in at the front door, and follow you around the floor as you browse and shop.
How can I Help You?
Employees will probably have to wear masks, disinfect surfaces regularly and use plenty of hand sanitizer. Plexiglass shields are being installed at checkout counters.
Extra Protection
We could see businesses turning safety into a marketing opportunity by handing out masks with their logo on it at the door.
Branded PPE?
Next: Gyms
You may have a retail worker chaperoning you through new protocols. An employee might call you before your appointment to explain safety measures, check you in at the front door, and follow you around the floor as you browse and shop.
How Can I Help You?
Next: Restaurants
Working out a way to reopen
gyms
Because the coronavirus is spread by respiratory droplets and the virus can live on surfaces for an extended period of time, gyms will need to clean everything from weights, to machines, to cardio equipment before people return. Frequent cleanings of all equipment will need to be maintained. Gold's Gym says that will include a workout intermission, so cleaning crews can wipe everything down.
Deep Clean
Fewer People
Gyms will need to limit the number of people who can be in the gym at any time to maintain social distance. Some gyms expect to reduce their maximum capacity by 50% once they get up and running. When classes resume, they will be smaller, too. Some gyms are reporting they will tape out spacing to keep people separated.
When gyms first open, there will likely be limited equipment and access. In Georgia, where gyms have reopened, only cardio and strength training equipment was available for use at first. Basketball courts, group classes, and team activities will be suspended.
Limited Equipment
Another strategy to keep people spaced out is to move the equipment around. Some things, like free weights, may be moved outdoors to make more rooms for machines inside.
Making Room
Some gyms are asking people to wear gloves while using equipment to minimize the potential spread of the coronavirus. Some gym owners in states where the facilities have been allowed to reopen are encouraging the practice, but not making it mandatory.
Got Gloves?
While disposable gloves may be in short supply because of the coronavirus pandemic, hand sanitizer may be strategically placed around the gym in high traffic areas for people to use between exercises.
Hand Sanitizer
Bring your own bottle of water, because water fountains will be off limits for the foreseeable future.
BYOB
Some gyms in densely populated areas are considering asking members to make a reservation to work out. Such a move would allow gyms to keep tabs on the number of people who are in the facility at any given time. It would also keep gyms from having people crowding the reception area, waiting to enter.
Reservations
The coronavirus crisis was a boon for workout apps owned by gyms. As gyms prepare to reopen, they are also looking for ways to grow their following and allow members to attend virtually from home. It also may allow for personal trainers to work with clients while practicing social distancing.
Workout From Home
Because the coronavirus can live on surfaces for an extended period of time, gyms will need to frequently clean everything from weights, to machines, to cardio equipment. Gold's Gym says it will include a workout intermission so cleaning crews can wipe everything down.
Gyms will need to limit the number of people who can be in the gym at any time to maintain social distance. Some gyms expect to reduce maximum capacity by 50%. Workout classes will be smaller, too. Some gyms plan to tape out spacing to keep people separated.
Some gyms in densely populated areas are considering asking members to make a reservation to work out, which would allow gyms to control the number of people in the facility. It would also keep gyms from having people crowding the reception area, waiting to enter.
The coronavirus crisis was a boon for workout apps owned by gyms. Now gyms are using online apps to grow their followings and allow members to work out virtually. It may also allow personal trainers to work with clients while social distancing.
Workout At Home