The Coronavirus Crisis Can Reshape America’s Future – For the Better
Despite all the pain that coronavirus has brought, America can come out of the pandemic stronger than ever. | Image: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
- Amid the coronavirus pandemic, American life is up-in-the-air as President Trump warns of a “rough week” ahead.
- It’s important to analyze an “after” once the virus has run its course and no more confirmed cases are announced.
- The “after” will be co-dependent on what lessons the U.S. and other countries take heed of after the crisis.
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has been spreading and infecting countries globally since the beginning of January.
U.S. Becomes Virus Epicenter
The U.S. recently became the most infected country worldwide, with confirmed cases now exceeding 335,000.
Although the initial epicenter in the nation was Seattle, Washington, New York quickly stole that title as both cases and deaths from the virus soared.
President Trump has, again, warned that America is entering into its “ toughest week” of the coronavirus crisis, claiming “there will be death.”
It’s an understatement to say that things are uncertain right now. America’s way of living has been stopped in its tracks.
No more dining out with friends and having drinks, or going to theaters with your children to see a matinee, or even just simple trips to the grocery store.
Despite the uncertainty (not to mention the death toll), the long-term impact of the coronavirus could potentially have its benefits.
It does need specification, of course, that any possible positive long-term effect doesn’t cancel out the short-term turmoil we are currently experiencing as things become more and more dire.
Long-term, the coronavirus crisis may see the United States…
- Rely less on globalism
- Shift away from mass consumerism
- Have a rise in both telemedicine and working from home
- Experience a political shift
No matter what happens, if the United States and other countries don’t learn any lessons from the crisis after it’s over – any consequences, short or long-term won’t matter.
The U.S. government will need to realize what was critically impacted by the virus and brought to a standstill during the pandemic.
Globalism sees the goods we consume contracted out to factories and production facilities overseas .
Will the virus bring that production back into America so as to never rely on a single country ever again? If so, the vapid and shallow mass consumerism the U.S. seems to excel at might abate drastically.
A political shift would also likely occur . It wouldn’t go unnoticed by the public after experiencing rich communities potentially be better treated from the virus than poverty-stricken areas. Couple that with enormous bailouts for multi-million dollar corporations during an economic meltdown and there would surely be outcry.
With the constant doom and gloom plaguing our day-to-day lives, it’s important to be able to visualize an “after” in regards to the virus.
Once we are able to return to any semblance of daily life – whenever that may be – and cases of the coronavirus stop being confirmed, the only certainty is that the United States will be a nation changed and ready to rebuild stronger and more fortified than ever before.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.
