What will ‘new normal’ look like and what changes will there be?
I WONDER what changes to society there will be when we have our ‘new’ normal and Covid no longer dominate our lives.
It is interesting to look back to the Second World War. Six years of disruption.
One big social impact was the government’s attitude to poverty changed and they took an active interest in the welfare of the lives of people in Britain.
In this pandemic the government has been involved in the lives of many people, some will argue not enough, others too much.
Rationing became a big part of the lives of British people. It was the only way what little there was could be shared around.
During the pandemic we have seen the kindness of people sharing their food with others. It maybe they took it around to those in need or gave extra to charities, such as Foodbank and other agencies.
The bombing in the war effected all classes of society, the wealthy and the poor, today the pandemic effects all people, it is no respecter of persons.
The bombing also brought out a great community spirit, a desire to help those in need who may have suffered from the bombing. Again we see some of this today in this pandemic, a sense of community spirit, a desire to help those around us, a taking of interest in matters effecting the community around us.
Then of course there was the evacuation, children from poor industrial areas moved into areas of the more better off. A mixing across social boundaries that may not have happened other wise.
Then finally the country saw great social reform. William Beveridge brought out his report. This brought about the welfare state, improved housing, access to good and free health care, better education, lifting people out of poverty.
What lasting social changes will there be for us when this pandemic no longer controls our lives. Vaccinations
have already started, we thank God for the minds and skills He has given to people in order to develop the vaccine.
One thing this virus has shown us is that life is temporary and all we depend on can be taken from us in minutes. So will we continue to view life differently? Will we seek to be more community spirited? Will the poor continue to be helped? What about our values?
The sad thing is, it so often takes a war, or some other disaster for us to begin to get back to living the life we were designed for.
The Bible, God’s manual for getting the best out of life, speaks of the need to care for the orphan, for the poor, for those who are finding life difficult.
We are designed for relationship, with each other and with God. Some of the great acts of kindness seen would be a normal part of life if we lived by the Word of God, ‘love your neighbour’ and not just in times of war or pandemic.