What will life be like after the Covid-19 pandemic is a query that’s prone to have crossed the minds of many.
A regional research “Asean Digital Generation Report: Pathway To Asean’s Inclusive Digital Transformation And Recovery” (Oct 2021) by the World Economic Forum and Singapore-based firm Sea Ltd reveals that most individuals assume the pandemic will final a very long time and lead to a really completely different world sooner or later.
Over 85,000 respondents between the ages of 16 and 35, from six Asean nations, have been surveyed within the research, with 56% of the respondents being girls and 10% enterprise homeowners.
The majority (69%) of the respondents imagine the pandemic will final past one 12 months, with 13% having the opinion that it’s going to by no means actually disappear however we’ll “learn to live with it”. 64% of the respondents really feel that if and when the pandemic does finish, the world could be “very different”. Only a minority (4%) really feel that issues would return to the best way they have been earlier than the pandemic.
60% of the respondents imagine the pandemic will final past one 12 months, with 13% having the opinion that it’s going to by no means actually disappear however we’ll ‘be taught to reside with it’. Photo: Freepik
Office administrator CK Han, 30, says that it’s unlikely that issues would be the similar even after the pandemic since “a lot of lives have been changed these past two years”.
“Many people lost their livelihood during the lockdowns, some took on new careers. Even if the pandemic ends, it is unlikely that they’ll return to what they used to know or do previously. The extended time at home brought some families closer while it caused others to grow apart, some also lost loved ones due to Covid-19. We don’t know if and when the pandemic will end, but survive we will and survive we must,” he says.
The respondents noticed a number of issues probably to occur within the post-pandemic world with the highest three being higher well being and hygiene globally (53%), a extra caring society (extra giving and serving to others) (32%), and better use of digital instruments and know-how (30%). The relaxation are steady financial progress (29%), higher entry to training alternatives (25%), extra assist to small companies (24%), better recognition of psychological well being points (24%), constructing higher social security nets (22%), higher tech governance (information safety and dealing with misinformation) (15%), extra cooperation between nations (15%), changing into a local weather resilient, inexperienced economic system (15%), constructing higher infrastructure (together with roads, trains and 5G) (9%), and extra equal alternatives between genders (5%).
“Even though the Covid pandemic was devastating, at least there are some good effects coming out of it, like for example, when I dine out at an eatery now, at least the tables are wiped down and sanitised. People are more concerned about health and hygiene now. Previously, you’d be lucky if they remove the previous diners’ plates and utensils before you sit down!” says Adibah Ramli, 35, a college trainer. “Society has become more caring and willing to help others, even strangers, with the #KitaJagaKita movement, and I hope this community of caring continues even after the pandemic,” she provides.
There are some good results from the pandemic, like when eating out, the tables are wiped down and sanitised as a result of individuals are extra involved about well being and hygiene now. Photo: Freepik
“Malaysians have learnt how to queue and socially-distance and respect other’s personal space. Because of the Covid SOPs, you don’t find people pushing and shoving each other to get into public transport or an elevator,” says retail govt G. Mary Lakshmi, 24.
However, respondents share that additionally they have issues concerning the post-pandemic world, together with future financial/monetary crises, pandemics, misinformation and environmental degradation.
According to the research, the pandemic will proceed to have an effect each economically and mentally, particularly on MSMEs and girls.
The research additionally reveals that reskilling and upskilling is required to ensure that folks to outlive within the post-pandemic world. Respondents have been surveyed on 13 skillsets that they really feel could be most wanted: know-how use, creativity and innovation, self-discipline, resilience and adaptableness, emotional intelligence and communication, language abilities, world mindset, analytical and demanding pondering, administration and management, know-how design, information analytics, artwork and design, and maths and science. The outcomes reveal that the highest 5 most essential skillsets wanted within the Asean area are: know-how use (39%), creativity and innovation (38%), self-discipline (37%), resilience and adaptableness (34%) and emotional intelligence and communication (28%), whereas in Malaysia, they’re know-how use (43%), self-discipline (40%), emotional intelligence and communication (30%), creativity and innovation (28%) and language abilities (28%).
Most of the respondents (85%) additionally really feel that digitalisation is essential for the financial restoration of the nation, particularly within the areas of work/enterprise, journey/ride-hailing, social networking, retail/groceries, funds, studying, finance, leisure, and eating/ordering meals. Respondents additionally felt that those that are extra digitalised “are more economically resilient” through the pandemic.
Will life be the identical once more after the pandemic? Photo: Pixabay
However, there are a number of components that forestall them from digitising their lives, together with poor high quality and/or costly Internet (57%), poor high quality and/or costly gadgets (43%), concern about on-line safety (41%), lack of digital abilities or alternative (29%), issues about psychological well being and well-being (25%), and privateness (unwillingness to disclose information/private particulars) (22%).
“During the MCOs, most people realised the importance of being digitalised because we had to do everything online – order food, buy items, pay bills, study or work, etc. Even my grandmother learnt to do everything online! But not everyone has access – there are those who either can’t afford to get a proper device or Internet data, while some live in remote areas where they have difficulties getting online due to lack of proper infrastructure,” says school pupil Mary Kalang, 19.
