From reimagined workplaces and sanitised public spaces to state-of-the-art technologies and evolving social consciousness, the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed our relationship with spaces and people in profound ways. Here’s looking at the journey back from the virtual to the ‘real’ world in the New Year.
By Jisha Krishnan
On a cold December evening, as I sipped a hot cup of coffee, I heard footsteps on the stairs. The delivery guy, lugging an oversized bag, trundled to my doorstep. He was out of breath. The door was open, and from the other side of the mesh screen, (I hate to admit) I hesitated before offering a glass of water. He turned out to be an elderly gentleman on a new job.
Common courtesies have, sadly, become uncommon in the age of online shopping and contactless deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sneeze guards have been put up and all sorts of barriers have been created to ensure that the contagion doesn’t enter our safe space.
While our wait for the vaccine continues, how do we navigate the tricky intersection of the digital and physical spaces in humane ways? As economies around the globe reopen, how do we strive for a balance between lives and livelihoods?
Here’s our checklist to help you get back from the virtual to the real in the safest possible manner in 2021:
#1 Rediscover the X-factor at work
An informal survey conducted among family, friends, and acquaintances showed that a clear majority was looking forward to getting back to the office. “Working from home is not a feasible long-term solution,” rued Kartik Rao, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur, who likes the flexibility of remote working, but misses the in-person interactions that lead to “better ideation and positive work culture”.
Research shows that spatial layouts can significantly influence the formation and outcomes of relationships at work – a key catalyst for innovation and growth. In an interesting study, it was found that when scientists had to walk further from the lab – say to the restroom or the printer – they had more interactions and developed more research collaborations.
“If it weren’t for the pandemic, we may never have realised that so many jobs can be done remotely,” says Deepak Pednekar, an HR manager with a private firm. “However, the last few months have also made us realise the importance of connecting with people and working in collaborative spaces. In 2021, I expect more offices to adopt a flexible approach. Perhaps, meet once or twice a week at the office and work from home on other days,” he says.
#2 Invest in healthy workspaces
The pandemic has, in many ways, reminded the world of the importance of well-designed and healthy spaces. Beyond enhanced disinfection protocol as well as good ventilation and lighting, urban workplaces are now looking at measures to ensure better air quality, thermal health, water quality, safety, and security.
While luxury and business hotels continue to market their ‘work from home’ packages for suave rooms, coworking spaces are reopening with the promise of affordable, sanitised workstations with high-speed network connectivity and easy networking opportunities.
“Many organisations are looking at coworking spaces in the current scenario to ensure that their employees can work closer to where they live. This is a huge relief, especially for cities like Mumbai, where public transport – though convenient – is terribly overcrowded and a major risk factor in spreading the disease,” notes Shalini Mitra, a marketing professional who has started working out of a coworking space this month.
#3 Think ‘out of the box’
In an interesting article titled ‘Architecture and design in a post-pandemic world’, Professor Alan Pert and Dr Stephanie Liddicoat from the University of Melbourne share valuable insights on the earliest example of modern architecture applied to healthcare. Designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto, Finland’s unique tuberculosis sanatorium built-in 1929 had hygiene as the underlying design principle.
Right from designing the sanatorium’s furniture and tableware to ensuring access to fresh air and sunlight, the Finnish architect couple was truly ahead of their times in providing an architectural response to a disease that was claiming countless lives and had no cure at that time.
Today, more than ever before, the world needs such innovative design thinking, especially in terms of space. Did you hear about Burger King introducing colossal crowns for its customers in Germany to ensure adequate social distancing? Adopting new technologies like touchless entryways and elevators enabled by motion and sound sensors, and facial recognition apps is a promising start, but there’s a lot more that needs to be done.
#4 Get your priorities right
“I understand the caution fatigue. People are tired of the pandemic,” concedes Dr. Shimna Azeez, medical officer and lecturer at Government Medical College in Malappuram, Kerala. However, she urges, not to throw caution to the winds – not yet.
“The virus is still here. Now, we also have a new mutant strain. People are dying. We see medical complications everyday…Yet, the malls and restaurants are teeming with people, children and senior citizens are without masks in public spaces,” rues the doctor.
Dr. Shimna recommends the following measures to ensure that we protect ourselves and others as we make efforts to get back to our ‘normal’ lives:
#5 Remember that you are not alone!
Last year, we spent most of our time converting our homes into offices, virtual classrooms, and fortresses. Now, as we venture out of that safe space to reclaim some aspects of our pre-pandemic lives, feelings of social anxiety, fear, outrage, uncertainty, germaphobia, and other mental health challenges are to be expected.
Mental health experts are unanimous in their opinion that it’s important to acknowledge these uncomfortable realities and address them effectively. The mental health impact of the pandemic, researchers believe, will last much longer than the physical health impact.
So, take a walk around the neighbourhood – with the mask on – or go to the office once a week, or perhaps, repurpose the balcony or terrace (if you are fortunate to have one) as a social space to catch up with friendly neighbours, while minimising physical contact. And don’t hesitate to offer a glass of water to the delivery guy!
In the words of a wise American statesman, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
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