“Change is good,” I like to say.  Why make such a bold statement?  This declaration resonates with those who have adjusted and embraced new ways of doing things since the Covid-19 (Corona Virus) struck.  Arguably, since the pandemic health crisis broke around the world, normal way of life has been disrupted in areas such as: work, church, school and even play.  I do not need to take a poll to safely say, everyone has been affected by the intruder and have had to make necessary modifications to their lives.

After several weeks of lock-down, stringent monitoring and tracking of the disease’s progress among islanders, the Barbados government has begun to ease restrictions.  The green light for operating respective businesses and services to the general public has been approved.  As limits are eased, the demand for physical distancing remains.  Therefore, lots of changes will first have to be implemented to satisfy this challenge.  One example that is currently facing scrutiny is the education system.  Thrown into this new format not by choice, e-learning has become the new normal for all those in school.

Most classrooms have a minimum of 25 – 30 students in elementary and secondary schools.  Not everyone is equipped to facilitate this new form of at-home study.  Families with multiple children at school ranging in ages may find it difficult focusing and maintaining simultaneous classes/tutoring for their charges.  Teachers, parents and students are at the same learning curve.  Some changes currently being considered, comes with lots of twists, turns, and uncertainties that will, with time, reveal whether they make sense, work well, or meets the needs of the recipients.  One teacher related to me her findings.  She said, “I have all scholars now, whereas before, I knew who were lagging, needed help and who grasped the information taught right away.”  While those in authority look for the best ways to maintain physical distance for pupils and teachers, one of the benefits to come out of this debacle, is that three groups of the social status will become even more technologically savvy.  I dare say, e-learning and online studying will become more mainstream and will be an option to the physical classroom in the future.

In the travel industry, physical distancing is also a new norm across the tourism sector.  Being an experienced traveler, I am interested to see how airlines and cruise ships navigate this turbulent crisis to come out smelling like a rose.  Already, Carnival Cruise Line announced a possible summertime return date to the high seas.  Delta Airlines stated a revised plan of back-to-front passenger boarding in the future.  These indicators and more reveal that travel operators are examining from soup to nuts, how physical distancing will be managed.  Other welcomed changes I would like to see would especially be to areas like long TSA lines, seating and cueing at boarding gates, cabin seating on planes, cruise ship dining and other areas where tourists gather en–masse.  New innovative and creative features and measures will more than likely be employed to allay the fears of the anxious traveler.  It would be remarkably interesting to see what becomes our new normal.

Community Peeps, how long will it be before you actually feel comfortable to take your bespoke vacation?  Is being in lock-down making it a priority to travel as soon as borders reopen?  What suggestions would you give to maintain physical distance as governments reopen businesses in the industry?  Please share your response in the comment box below.

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