After the Coronavirus pandemic is over, what everyday changes will you make? What have you learned from self quarantine at home?

I've always been a bit of a homebody so I'm really enjoying this. My job has always allowed us to work from home 2 days a week so now that we are all full time work from home, I think they might have a hard time getting us back to the office! I'm not much for being in stores and have always only done my shopping once a week. I'm frustrated with the lines at Home Depot, Lowes, and the fabric store so I just avoid them right now where I can and have actually been giving more of my business to some local, privately owned businesses instead. The hardest thing for me is not being able to go to the gym but I'm supplementing with lots of yard work. And sorry, if this is selfish, but having this break from my dad has been wonderful. I know he is being taken care of and I have my Saturday's back for a while. When things start returning to normal, I am going to need to slow down a bit. I have seen 'the other side' and I really need to not pack so much into my schedule.

Need room to store that extra bounty of toilet paper, or one or two pack of paper towels.... under the bed :)

Since this lockdown I am no longer living with the manic schedule that was my everyday reality. For the first few weeks the abrupt slow down had me filled with anxiety. I found myself rushing for no reason. I did not know how to cope with such a drastic change. As time went on I started to unwind, take my time and notice the world around me.

I still have both my jobs but one of them I am working from home and the demands are far less. My other job has flexible hours so I can work more or less hours, as I am able. On Sunday morning my small church does an hour zoom meeting where we all check in and share with each other. Somehow that feels more spiritual to me than our services. I can't visit Mom in AL but I call everyday and drop off little treats now and then. Since I have no control over this situation there is no guilt and no pressure anywhere in my life right now. I am more patient with myself and others. My struggle with resentment is fading away.

I don't forget for one minute that I am blessed to be healthy and still working right now. I know there are people all over the world whose lives have been ravaged by this pandemic. For that reason I will not take any of this for granted. When this is over, I am not sure what changes I will make, but I will not go back to things as they were.

CBS news was caught staging a coronavirus testing line at a hospital to make it look busy. They pulled hospital staff from treating actual patients so that the staff could get in line make the crowd look bigger for the camera. Of course, CBS denied this and blamed it on the hospital staff, but they did pull the news footage off line.

Here is a link to the story from the Washington Examiner. You can find the same story from many other sources, too.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/alarming-cbs-news-denies-staging-busy-coronavirus-testing-line-in-response-to-project-veritas-video

UK scientist who is one of the architects of the lock down order, doesn't think it is important enough for him to follow his own order. Apparently, his stay at home order only applies to the masses but not himself.

From CNN:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/05/uk/neil-ferguson-imperial-coronavirus-sage-gbr-intl/index.html

"A leading epidemiologist who advised the UK government on its coronavirus response resigned from his government post on Tuesday, after the Telegraph newspaper revealed he broke the lockdown rules he helped shape by allowing his reported lover to visit his home.
Professor Neil Ferguson, who is based at Imperial College in London, is one of the architects of the UK government's stay-at-home strategy and was a prominent member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) which has been spearheading the country's coronavirus response.
The Telegraph reported Tuesday that a woman whom it described as his married lover had visited Ferguson's home in London at least twice despite social distancing guidelines.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that he was left speechless by the "extraordinary" revelation and that Ferguson had taken the right decision in resigning from his advisory position."

Quinicatorius, I think you're right; the pandemic can bring out the best and worst of people, ranging from those (such as the front line support and first responders) who find ways to cope and help others to the ones who grouse and complain about inconveniences to them, and/or defy recommendations to be safe.

And it's not just about individuals; it's about interaction; we live in areas ranging from isolated to rural to heavily populated, and each of us has obligations not only to ourselves but to others (as well as to animals). That sense of collectivity seems to be lost on some, who are focused on "me, me me!"

There's a lot to be learned from this, especially about who and what are really important in life, and what doesn't matter. I think introspective people will become more so, and many will reach out to help others, but some will just see the inconvenience to themselves.

However, I'm not convinced that that isn't basic nature to some and they'll never change or see themselves in the context of a highly interconnected population.

I think there also will be scientific lessons to be learned but not until there's adequate time for more in-depth analysis, especially on vulnerabilities, healthy eating and living styles, and other activities and attitudes basic to how people live their lives.

Since I've read that the virus has already mutated, and that there will be follow-up episodes, I'm planning for this Fall and Winter, and beyond, hoping I can find contractors to help with some of the changes I want to make to increase storage and safety capacity over the next cold season.

I'm thinking of redundancy capacity, not as redundant as a NASA project, but more so than even well prepared people have now.

I’ve learned how selfish people are and how they care most about what they want right now. How many are actually going to visit their elderly more? I see people caring about vacations/money/food/inconveniences . It’s a sacrifice and America is spoiled. My mother is amazed at people’s focus. It’s about worldly goods. This pandemic either brought the best or the worst in people. I am seeing the worst. Sadly. In the meantime I pray for those dealing with terrible struggles and illness. Being lonely is a terrible feeling . There is so much more we can do. Ya get one life , one soul. Live wisely.

On the news: hundreds of people volunteer to be infected with coronavirus in an effort to find a cure.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hundreds-of-people-volunteer-to-be-infected-with-coronavirus/

Karsten, the toilet paper shortage came about because of the shift from commercial usage to residential usage.

The factories are not able to shift production from commercial rolls to residential rolls, thereby limiting their production capabilities.

This really shows how much we don't use at home when we are busy living life and using public restrooms as a result.

Just wanted to add that, as I think people are starting to think there is a TP conspiracy and it is not anything nefarious.

I would like to think one thing we have learned is NOT to stock up on TP and other things like this. There was never a real shortage of TP production, and people are not pooping more

The shortage in stores came about as people let their anxiety drive them to selfishness and stock up on weeks of TP so there was not any left for other people. If people just had bought the normal amount, there would be enough for everyone. Factories pump out TP at a regular rate, and a rate that satisfies everyone needs. When people horde, it upsets the system for everyone.

I am grateful for many things during this pandemic.
That I am in good health, that I like to spend time on my own, that it is nice to go for long walks.
I was following Dave Ramsey's 10 Steps before all this happened, so I did not have a problem with money. Thankfully. I lost my business, which can be rebuilt again, but I wasn't distressed.
I'm living with my elderly parents, and that has been very difficult. As their stress levels rose, and my father's behaviour became very challenging I had to learn a new way of dealing with him. My old ways didn't work, we were constantly arguing.
I learnt to let him do what he wants, within reason. I learnt to identify that he lives with low lying anxiety most of the time, I realised that I pick up on this and it makes our exchanges very difficult. Now I cut short interactions, I leave the room, I stay silent and don't engage. While I'm getting used to this new way (and so is he) I am peaceful. Since he doesn't get a reaction from me, he is quiet.
When things resume (to a new normal) I will slow my pace down. Yes I need money to live, but life is about so much more than what I do for a living. And I've missed people, seeing friends, will be a real pleasure.

"The really good news is we most likely had COVID after a 2 week cruise ..."

bowgirl - yes, that is GOOD NEWS. And that's something you will never hear from the media but it is TRUE. A friend of mine contracted and recovered from COVID19, and she was SO GLAD she did because now she has the antibodies that will protect her. As more people contract this virus, and 99% of people will recover, they will be protected, and eventually, there will be herd immunity. This won't happen if people are hiding in their homes. The elderly however should still isolate because their immune systems are old and weak.

Cherokee and Bowgirl, I like your attitudes and approaches. To me that's the common sense way to live regardless of a pandemic.

When one of the newscasts showed videos of 2000 cars in San Antonio lined up to get food, I was so shocked that so many would be on the brink of running out. I understand that financial situation plays a big role in stocking up, and it's very difficult to be in that situation.

But we certainly weren't rich either, and lived our lives frugally but since we lived at a lake we never felt deprived in our childhood.

Cherokee, you mentioned being teased. My parents were very frugal and never bought new cars, always used ones. When we were little we were embarrassed to be seen in our old cars, until we grew up enough to realize how sensible that practice was. I can't remember but the embarrassment probably arose from other youngsters teasing us.

I really think that the pandemic gives everyone, who's physically and financially able, to re-evaluate priorities and life style, and plan appropriately for the future. This won't be the last pandemic, and the next one may even be worse.

I have been self isolating since March 13th. I live semi rurally, walking, running and pedaling without seeing another person is very doable. The curve has flattened I'm getting on with my life. I keep a bandanna around my neck, just in case. I have not been to the grocery store since the first case in the county over early March. Filled freezer and pantry that night. I also have Spring veggies and hens for eggs. No food issues here. I will have to shop this week and for food for my 88 year old mother and make a run to NJ.

The really good news is we most likely had COVID after a 2 week cruise beginning early Feb out of Balt. It was the sick ship what made the news, pre-testing on ships. Our symptoms were mild. It is the headache that has lead us to realize we had it. We had mild dry coughs and, chills and exhaustion. Everyone in my house had it, I of course gave it to my mom, cat the the neighbors as I was getting the kids ready and on the bus.... Trying to get an antibody test soon.... Just a glimpse of my new reality. Trying to take today for just me.

I can't wait for life to go back to normal. We are missing the outdoors, the school fieldtrips, the beaches, the parks, the get togethers with friends and family, going out to dinners, etc., In short, we are missing life. I don't want to live life cooped up in the house in fear. That's not living, that's just wasting away.

I was raised to save, save, save. We were dirt poor as I grew up. I was canning by the age of 8 since mom had to have surgery. We raised a lot of our vegetables, chickens, pigs, beef, rabbits and squab. Hunting or fishing trips on the weekends were normal. So, after I married I tended to only buy as needed...until...my husband had a bad accident at work that left him unable to return to work for 7 months. I was working full time to help support us at the time and we had 2 children. The night I came home from work to 3 hungry people and had about 1 cup of pancake mix, 1 can of chicken and rice soup and enough tuna salad for 2 thin sandwiches but no bread. I decided to start to stock up as much as possible.
As the kids grew, they teased me constantly about my grocery/paper/necessities stash. After they married, I turned one bedroom into a HUGE pantry with a 23 cf freezer and put another refrigerator/freezer in the garage. They were always stopping by to borrow stuff, then their kids grew up and married and borrowed stuff and still do. :) I don't mind. I had stocked up in December and again at the end of February of cleaning supplies, sanitizing supplies and gloves because my husband broke out with shingles that I had to doctor. He has dementia and uses a lot of tissues, meds, etc.
I also bought meats in bulk and used my vacumn sealer and I still do canning if I get large quantities of items. I would like to have raised garden beds so I don't have to bend or get on my knees. I do grow garlic, oregano, chives and onions.
I will probably continue to wear my mask if any risk since I and husband are high risk w/liver problems and a dying lung. I have quit going each week to shop and will continue to space trips out. I found it to be cheaper. I keep a list of items needed or out of.
We WILL be getting our wills made. And choosing POAs. Our funerals are already paid for. I will give my granddaughter copies of passwords for accounts, safety deposit box and my pc so if I am unable, she can pay bills on line since hubby can't operate a computer. I can trust her completely to do as needed for both of us. We also wish to have our kids/grandkids tell us of anything we have they wish to keep so we can mark them.
This virus has changed things for a lot of people. My husband I had planned to do some traveling when he retired. Unfortunately a fall on New Years of 2018 ruined all of that for us since he couldn't drive for a year. Then surgery for glaucoma in April 2019 that failed messed up his sight. And another surgery to repair the mess this February finished it off. Our extra savings have disappeared and he did something with the money but, doesn't know what or won't tell. That was our emergency and vacation stash.
Get out and doo stuff if you are able and not afraid. This COVID has shown me how precious family and life is and how it disappear in a heartbeat.

I don't know that I will make many. My life changed greatly 17 years ago. Since then, I don't go many places at all. Other than going on trips which we will go back to, my wife and I usually go with each other to doctor's appointments each week.

All I want is to see my grandkids. I miss hugging them . I will make more of an effort to drive the long distance to see my friends.

I have learned i need to hug more, love more and cherish that we are all brothers and sisters.

The pastor of my church always want parishioners to greet each other with hand shakes and hugs. Imho, this practice is very wrong

One more thing I need to do. I realized my Birth and Marriage Certificates aren't near my Trust papers. I also need to update my DNR. I am going to put my daughter first as the person to make decisions for me when I can't do it for myself, instead of my husband who has Alzheimer's.

Get out more.

Love deeper
Speak sweeter
Give forgiveness I've been denying

Tim McGraw Live like you were Dying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9TShlMkQnc

Slow Living
Accomplishing only 2 important things a day
Nourishing spirit
Turning from vegetarian to vegan
Helping saving animals from animal markets and animal farms
Calling all my friends every weekend
Cutting down all non essential
Live every day as it was the last one

For me, unlikely I will change that much. I have always been a handwasher thanks to my mother when I was a child. She was a bit of a fanatic telling us not to drink or eat off of anyone else. When hand sanitizer came out, I was using it immediately! My background is also in healthcare so I was actually shocked how other healthcare professionals are not so clean. Yuk. I travel in Mexico a lot and I found out that by washing my hands and/or using hand sanitizer, I get sick turista less! Especially when it came to vomiting. As long as I have traveled in the Latin countries, I still end up with stomach issues but mostly loose bowel. Different bacterias, parasites etc. Even constipation where I am quite NORMAL at home! I know, TMI!

I have never liked hand shaking and I usually make an excuse for not shaking someone's hand but sometimes it is hard to avoid. I do love the hugs, thanks to my lovely Latin friends. I did not grow up that way in my family, but I do enjoy it. Giving and receiving. I think the ordering food and products online is not so great, especially now. Yes, it is handy but the poor people that work for Amazon and some of these companies are getting sick because they are not being protected! And they are extremely overworked. I worked in the delivery business for 8 years when I was younger. It is hard, stressful and physical work!

I think being grateful is huge. Yesterday I went out and took photos of the lovely spring flowers and trees in my home here in the PNW of the U.S. and some of the pretty old homes and their gardens. I sent the photos to my friends to let them know what I was up to and received many compliments and greetings. In my isolation as a single female, it gave me joy to give a smile to someone, wave as we crossed the street to avoid each other and just having so much fresh spring air amongst such beauty! It is also a realization that we cannot take anything for granted. I know many people plans have been disrupted-travel-funeral-weddings and that is heart-breaking. But we are moving forward, tho albeit slower than some of us would like.

Interesting to read everyone's responses. Thanks!

I won't be do much changing. I need to keep a little more money at home, and be sure we have two backup bottles of Peroxide and Lysol wipes. Other than that, our life will be about the same.

For us, all that hand sanitizer and germ chasing in the house is not necessary. There are just 2 of us in the house. No one except the cleaning lady who comes twice a month has been in our house for months. My daughter might have been in 3 months ago or so. Hubby and I remember the quarantines from years ago. Remember, we delt with Polio, Scarlet Fever, Bryce Disease, Mumps, WhoopingCough, Measles and and many other diseases. I have been quarantined before so this is not my first rodeo, maybe that makes a difference.

I have a girlfriend who is a germ-a-phobic. She drives me nuts spraying everything down all the time. She does not give her body time to develop immunity to anything. I believe we need to develop anti-bodies to diseases. Otherwise, our poor immune system doesn't develop because it has nothing to practice on. I think that was a George Carlin saying.

Since this is not my or hubby's first rodeo with communicable diseases, I guess we have a different attitude. Also, we have tried to learn from life and we always have plenty of food on hand. I went hungry when I was young and it leaves marks on your soul. Our big shopping was fresh fruits and vegetables, The stores had plenty of those. I am going to keep trying to purchase food that is grown here in the U.S.

Spend more time with loved ones. Eat out less. Be more grateful for every morning!

Maintain a plentiful stock of toilet paper, paper towels, simple hand soap and basic cleaning supplies.

Dont miss any opportunity to tell someone how much I love them.

Cut ties with negative, ungrateful and selfish people. It sure is easy to spot them in adverse circumstances.

Being pretty well stocked up and cooking in bulk and freezing meals is pretty much what I've always done, so m big changes there. I will minimize store visits and doctor's appts and I will probably not return to my senior exerciese classes until or if public spaces become safer.

I really don’t intend to do things much differently...I will probably use hand sanitizer more frequently...I will make sure I have more essential products on hand, the hoarding that was as exhibited was extreme, and will purchase an extra refrigerator/freezer for the garage, something I intended to do a long time ago...
I am not going to wear a mask everywhere...and I don’t intend to stay six feet away but I will honor those that still want to maintain social distancing by not invading their space...
I might view this differently if I lived in a packed metro area...but I don’t...

My life hasn't changed too much - eating out less and shopping less. I do miss hugging people I love and I look forward to doing this again.

I think the biggest changes are yet to come. We may all be required to wear face masks in public and make good use of hand sanitizer as well.

Also, I'm rethinking my idea of moving into senior housing when I feel my house and yard are too much to care for. I don't know how to consider this further, but do not want to be trapped in a shut down in close quarters with an infection running wild.