Originally published on LinkedIn on April 8, 2020

With the infection rate of COVID-19 rising faster than a thermometer dunked in boiling water, it’s hard to see the silver lining. A call with associates, on Friday afternoon revealed several interesting insights about how the pandemic has produced new paradigms.

Many of my colleagues already primarily work from home, so the biggest adjustments were to our personal not professional lives. Those who routinely meet with clients or work on-site, where more antsy, having been confined to their homes. With Bridge Partners having closed their offices in early March, our planned team get-together became a Microsoft Teams virtual meeting with participants encouraged to turn on their video.

The first half of the meeting consisted of going around the virtual table with each person sharing what they’re working on and something positive about their confinement. Perhaps it was me, but instead of my eyes wandering around the room, my typical modus operandi, I was focused on what people were saying and intrigued by how their lives have changed.

Most shared an aha moment, more time to exercise, no tiresome commutes, seeing neighbors outside walking, jogging, and enjoying the outdoors, participating in virtual events, spending more time with children and significant others, connecting with friends and family through online tools, and engaging in hobbies from cooking to gardening.

A theme that wove through their reflections was newfound ingenuity. One woman talked about attending a virtual dance party where people of all ages logged in and danced to a collection of music. Another shared her trepidations about a virtual college spring break party she was hosting for her daughter. Earlier in the week, an associate posted a video composed by her nephew’s high school performance group.

Adversity creates opportunities

Throughout history, missteps and hardships have uncovered opportunities that previously weren’t obvious.

There’s no overlooking the devastating human, emotional and economic impact of COVID-19. The short- and long-term consequences will resonate for years with children missing out on schooling, businesses, and organizations of all sizes scaling back operations or foregoing re-opening, front-line and hands-on workers weathering the loss of income, and families distraught over the illness or death of a loved one.

The sliver of a silver lining, if there is one, is the realization of what’s possible and initiative to put them in practice. While the ability to work remotely has been a reality for decades, it wasn’t widely implemented, until now.

The tools to remotely communicate, collaborate, and share are widely available, but were spottily implemented. Gartner, however, predicts the worldwide market for social software and collaboration in the workplace will grow to $4.8 billion by 2023. This same software also fuels online education and training, extending the classroom and making it possible for educators to reach students wherever they live.

“Stay-at-home” orders have been particularly detrimental to restaurants, bars, and other social and food establishments. Quite a few have reinvented themselves. Local and regional restaurants, much like ubiquitous chains and pizza joints, are closing their dining rooms, and aggressively marketing take-out and delivery.

Online grocery and food delivery services are seeing an upsurge along with meal kit companies like Blue Apron as consumers hunker down and realize they either need to turn on their cooking appliances or purchase ready-made food.

With people at home, there’s a spike in accessing online content. Verizon noted a 75% increase in video game usage during peak hours. Both Xbox Live and Nintendo Online have suffered short-term outages since the outbreak of coronavirus, attributed both to people being housebound, and a vital need to connect with others.

Complementing the increase in use of online exercise apps has been a response by fitness centers who are now offering online and virtual classes. Night clubs and performers are equally striving to remain pertinent, and more importantly, generate income by publicizing online performances and fundraisers.

With most public events and gatherings closed or cancelled, the Pew Research Center found 57% of Americans have watched a religious service online or TV instead of attending in person.

On a more basic level, people are increasing their outreach to family, friends and co-workers. Superficial connections are turning into more in-depth conversations via online platforms. People are emerging from their homes, meeting – from a safe distance – some of their neighbors for the first time. Dogs are enjoying lengthier walks, children are spending more quality time with parents, and businesses are starting to realize that they can trust their employees to get their work done from home.

And most importantly, there’s a renewed appreciation for the army of workers who make our daily lives enjoyable from retail, restaurant, hospitality, event center, theater, and municipal workers to hairdressers, barbers,  manicurists, transit workers, mail, parcel and delivery drivers, and many, many more.

Finally, we will forever be indebted to the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are on the front lines of this cataclysmic pandemic.

Photo by Abdulla Faiz on Unsplash