The COVID-19 Pandemic: Living Under Quarantine*

If one thing’s for certain, it’s the fact that all of us will have to accustom ourselves to living within the “new normal”. The new normal refers to the adoption of social distancing, better hygiene practices and cost-cutting all in an effort to combat COVID-19.

Despite the naysayers, social distancing and widespread quarantines have proven to be extremely effective in preventing national healthcare systems from becoming overwhelmed as was seen in New York and parts of Italy.

While these measures have successfully flattened the infection curve, it has come at a grave cost with the global economy being brought to a virtual standstill. As consumption falls and people begin to reevaluate their priorities, it’s clear to see that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will still be felt for years to come.

But before you despair, take heart in the fact that this shift to a new normal is the perfect opportunity to reorientation and recalibration of one’s expectations on life. Here’s our guide to making the best of the global pandemic lockdown and economic crash.

1. Learn to Do Without

Despite all of its conveniences, modern life has plenty of material trappings that keep us in a cycle of constant consumption. From streaming services to online shopping, the accessibility offered by the internet often tempts us into making unnecessary purchases.

With all of the isolation and boredom brought on by the lockdown, many have unfortunately begun turning to retail therapy as a means of alleviating any negative feelings. The high brought by retail therapy is a fleeting one and often results in one feeling even worse due to the unnecessary purchase made.

As can be seen by the spike in e-commerce sales since the start of March 2020, it is clear to see that most folks have turned to retail therapy as a coping mechanism. Instead of wasting your hard-earned cash on online shopping, learn to instead make the best of what you have on hand.

Whether it’s passing time by reading a book or just working out, finding joy in non-material activities is more satisfying and also helps you save cash. If you want to spend your money, at least try something like online casino betting here on BetAmerica.com, where you can get some return if you are lucky. However, remember to wage responsibly.

2. Practice Self-Sufficiency

Self-sufficiency is a skill that has become lost over the years as we became accustomed to simply buying or replacing things.

Feeling hungry? Just pick up your Smartphone and with just a few swipes, you’ll have a delivery person waiting outside your door.

Car broke down? No worries, just give the mechanic a call and let them sort it all out.

If there’s one thing the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us, it’s the importance of being self-sufficient. With so much economic uncertainty and a sharp increase in unemployment, the only way forwards for many of us is to cut back and start tightening our belts.

With fears of the virus spreading through eateries, consumers have begun embracing the return of home cooked food. Rather than eating out every other day, learn how to prepare and cook your own meals for better tasting and more affordable nourishment. Thanks to Youtube and a host of other sites, even the most hopeless of cooks will be able to whip up something decent and delicious.

3. Save on Costs

If you’re one of the fortunate few who’ve been lucky enough to be able to work from home, then you should immediately notice how much less time and money you’re spending on commuting to and from work.

Embrace this windfall by parking any extra cash you have into a rainy day savings account or investing in some low-risk securities as a means of hedging your cash.

If you’re a business owner, allowing your staff to work remotely not only reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission, but also provides you with the ideal opportunity to save on both rental and utility costs.

Given how we are headed for a global recession, any extra cash you manage to put aside will be vital to the survival of your business in the future.

COVID-19 will likely be a fact of life for many of us and there is no use hoping for a return to normality. The best anyone can do is to adapt to the unavoidable changes that are sure to come.