Wear masks. No, masks aren’t always necessary. Don’t forget to use sanitizer. Actually, just wear gloves. Don’t leave the house. You have to go to work. Don’t go to the supermarkets. But you can go if you’re wearing a mask and take precautions. The virus is deadly. But don’t worry because it only kills those who are ‘vulnerable’. The virus is active on surfaces for hours. Never mind, it can also be active for days. It’s okay to get fresh air and go for walks. But you still have to stay at home.
For the past month and a half, people globally have been receiving contradictory instructions and quite honestly, it’s no one’s fault. The virus is new and there is no clear vaccine or method of treatment yet, so mass panic is inevitable. But offices are starting to ask people to go back to work, so now what?
Should We Go Back To Work Soon?
Working from home?
Recently, a lot of employees have returned back to their offices, some never left the office and some continue working from home. Technically, governments around the world are urging people who can stay home, to stay home. But those ‘who can stay home’ is a blurry line when employers don’t want to stop day to day work.
The Telegraph wrote, “While some offices have sent employees to work from home indefinitely, others are telling them to come in regardless, leaving many facing a conundrum on whether to flaunt Government advice or risk irking their employer.”
But very simply, not every job can be done from home and not everyone can afford to stop working. Meanwhile, governments and health officials have repeatedly stated the necessity of staying safe.
In a recent press conference with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, he said that COVID-19 has had a profound impact on national and global economies. Al Ahram reported that each country would have to “work after this plight ends on addressing the disease’s impact on its citizens and scrambling to make an economic recovery.”
Returning To The Office
Going back to the office?
And this is why offices are beginning to operate once more. Perhaps working from home hasn’t terribly decreased production levels, but the lack of normality in the world surely has.
It goes without saying that COVID-19 may or may not change work life as we know it such as, the way the office looks and how meetings are held.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released information on how to handle being in the workplace for both employers and employees. This includes ensuring workplaces are clean and hygienic with surfaces constantly being wiped with disinfectant. As many health officials stated, the virus can live on surfaces.
Another necessary task is making sure everyone entering the building is washing their hands and/or using sanitizers with alcohol. It goes without saying that anyone with mild symptoms or simply feeling ill should not come to the office altogether.
Moreover, meetings as we know them may change too. The WHO recommends that managers evaluate whether a meeting can simply be held online. If it cannot, the seating arrangements would have to adhere to the new social distancing methods. The WHO said, “maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.”
Dealing With Anxiety
Although not everyone is worried about returning to the office, some people are. Some people aren’t seeing this as a good decision in any way and it’s important to respect those who are afraid.
It’s clear that some offices absolutely must resume work but for employees who can do their work from home, it’s important for employers to be understanding of the situation. Uncertainty is a source of anxiety for anyone and this virus happens to cause a lot of it.
As per the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), “Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
And in the story of this virus and the chaos it has plunged the world into, it’s inevitable that we are all at least a little anxious of what’s coming, how we are going to return to normal and what the aftereffects of COVID-19 may be.
