Technology in the New Normal

While the Covid-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down, people seem to be keeping up with the "new normal" this pandemic has brought forth. The whole concept of this new normal is, undoubtedly, new for all of us. Even though people may feel reluctant to adapt to the new reality, stepping into the "new normal" world is the only option left in the fight against coronavirus.

The three-month nationwide lockdown forced everyone to stay indoors. So, how did you spend your time during lockdown? Well I guess, some of you might have turned to social media platforms, scrolling endlessly through Instagram, then Facebook, and then a quick look at Twitter. And others might have taken it as an opportunity to binge-watch all those web series or movies that have been on their wishlist for a long time. So all in all, the technological innovations have been a constant saviour for us during these difficult times. Had it not been for technology, spending time in lockdown would have become difficult to some extent.

The lockdown has completely changed the way we live. In a matter of days, all of us have gone digital. From meetings to lectures, shopping to dating, everything has moved online. Needless to say, digitalization has become an integral part of our lives.

 

Now, let's have a quick look at the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on technology.

Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Technology

Ever since the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus, the consumption of technology has increased. Remote working and work from home have become the "new normal" for millennials. Apart from work, people are using technology for personal activities like, listening to music, streaming shows, etc. Streaming has become more popular than ever.

The pandemic has changed the real world interactions into virtual interactions. Gone are the days when we would hangout with friends or do get-togethers at relatives' house. Now, families are connecting with each other through video calling apps. The concept of video calling has always been there but its usage has witnessed a sudden spike.

With people forced to stay at their homes, social media platforms seem to be the only place where they can communicate well. Sharing pictures, videos, or memes, and updating followers by posting content daily-- social media activity is growing at a fast pace and is expected to grow even more owing to the new normal concept.

Several people are relying on a variety of mobile apps for things ranging from gaming, studying, shopping, to banking. Use of fitness apps by gym freaks has gone up. Now, virtual training is a new trend. Also, the Covid-19 tracing app, Aarogya Setu, has emerged as a helping app recently. The coronavirus pandemic has caused much strain on internet traffic. Meanwhile, Netflix, Amazon prime, Youtube have reduced their video quality to prevent overload.

Now, most of us are glued to our smartphones. What else can we do? Playing outside, shopping, meeting, hanging out-- everything seems impossible, at least for some time in the near future.

Role of Technology in the New Normal

The role of technology in the "new normal" across different industries is as follows:

• Business

In the past few months, how many times have you heard of the term-- Work From Home (WFH)? Several times, right? So, how is this WFH concept possible? Is it not because of the fact that we have access to laptops, computers, and smartphones? Yes, businesses are staying afloat with the help of technological innovations. Now, companies have learnt new ways to manage this crisis. Those companies that have never considered this work from home concept are now relying on it. In an attempt to contain the spread of the virus, meetings are now held virtually. Video conferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meet have helped employees interact effectively. 

Continuity is like a lifeline for business. But, the pandemic has affected every workplace across the globe. It is only technology that is enabling them to work and collaborate remotely. If remote working continues to be the new norm, then technology will accompany businesses for their smooth running. Companies are reaping many benefits of technology during the Covid-19 crisis.

• Education

The pandemic has brought the education sector to a sudden halt. It has forced all the schools and universities across the world to suspend physical classrooms. While offline education is not feasible now, adopting technology-based education is the only alternative. Now, educational institutes are replacing physical classrooms with an online mode of learning and teaching. They are using digital platforms to make education delivery possible. So, teachers and students have to get used to this new normal. 

Some of the Edtech companies such as Byju's, Vedantu, & Unacademy have come up with their educational apps that are helping students continue their learning during the pandemic. Google classroom seems to be the future of physical classrooms. 

Technology has ensured that learning remains a continuous process. Using technology in education is not new, but it has significantly transformed the traditional education system.

Virtual education will be a part of the "new normal" in the post-Covid world.

• Health care

The application of technology to fight the coronavirus disease is on rise these days. People are adopting digital health technologies more and more. Since coronavirus cases continue to rise, testing and contact tracing has become essential. For this, healthcare workers are integrating digital technology into containment and mitigation processes. 

Several healthcare systems are using self-prioritizing mobile apps to help people check their symptoms. As mentioned above, Aarogya Setu app is also helping users minimize their chances of getting an infection. 

Screening, diagnosing, and treating patients-- everything needs technological tools. Digital thermometers, telemedicine platforms, etc. are some examples of technological tools that have been deployed on a huge scale. The dependence on digital health technologies is increasing at a fast pace. 

Conclusion

The pandemic will have a long lasting impact on the world. Although, this is a traumatic time for everyone, we have to prepare ourselves for a different world in the coming future. The "new normal" concept is not going to leave us soon. But, technology is here to help us. The Covid-19 outbreak has shown how important technology can be in times of uncertainty. 

What do you think about the "new normal" concept? Let us know in the comments section below!