With social distancing measures in place, people have had to rethink their daily schedules and adapt to a new normal. Tasks that used to be simple like grabbing a coffee or running to the grocery store are now complicated and require a lot more thought and preparation than they used to. Here are some of the ways people are handling the new normal from home.
Groceries
As an essential service, grocery stores have remained open since the beginning. However, going to the grocery store right now is no simple task. Lining up, wearing gloves, and swerving to avoid other shoppers has made grocery shopping a tiresome task.
Instead, people have turned to grocery delivery systems like Instacart and Grocery Gateway to avoid having to visit the grocery store in person. While you might have to wait a few weeks to get your groceries (some services have lead times of 3-4 weeks) you can skip the line and avoid putting yourself and others at risk.
Alternatively, many grocery stores are offering pickup options. All you have to do is place an order online and it’s there waiting for you when you get there. Some grocery stores will even bring your groceries to your car. However you’re getting your groceries, make sure you’re sanitizing and washing what you bought.
Online Shopping
Aside from groceries, there are still a lot of things that people need but don’t have easy access to anymore. Clothing, furniture, books and many other goods are no longer easy to access. It’s no wonder that e-commerce sales have risen steeply since March.
Not only is online shopping an easy way to shop for non-essential goods, but it’s also a good way to pass the time while supporting businesses big and small. With more people shopping for things online that they used to only shop for in-store, we could see a lot of people’s attitudes and behaviours towards online shopping change forever. For example, people can now buy a mattress online through a box, or even order a lawn mower without even visiting a store!
Food Delivery
Home cooking may be on the rise, but so is the use of food delivery apps like UberEats and DoorDash. These apps are the perfect option for a quick, satisfying and low-stress meal when you just don’t have the energy to cook. While there is a lot of online pressure to cook all the time, sometimes it’s nice to enjoy comfort food from a restaurant you wish you were able to visit right now.
Getting food delivered via apps or straight from the restaurants is also a great way to support local businesses whose businesses are currently suffering. If you want to treat yourself and take a break from cooking, order dinner tonight from your favourite restaurant.
Social Media and Video Chat
Unable to physically come together for social gatherings and business meetings, people have turned to video chat software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and FaceTime to keep in touch with the people in their lives.
Whether it’s a huddle with your coworkers, or a few drinks with friends on a Saturday night, people have adapted the technology to serve a number of social purposes. Some have even achieved life milestones on video chat like getting married or meeting a grandchild.
Social distancing has also reshaped the way we use social media. Memes, videos and other content are shared on a whole new level with a wider range of audiences. As well, new social media platforms have risen to prominence, like TikTok. These social media apps are a great way to pass the time while connecting with friends.
