COVID-19 has affected society in a number of ways from school closures to Zoom and Canvas outages as the world goes virtual. Some of the adjustments have been horrible, of course, but others seem to be changing for the better.

Here is a closer look at the way the coronavirus has changed society and the lives of people around the world.

Telemedicine and More in Health Care

From point of care testing for accurate blood work results to rushing to find a vaccine, strides are being made to make it easier to do things from home to help you with your health. That way you won’t have to risk exposure by leaving your home and going into a doctor’s office with other people. Telemedicine is one of those ways and is quickly growing in popularity. Obviously, in-person doctor's visits will still be available to people who need them, but many things can be done from the comfort of your home online via video feed hookup or on the telephone.

Working from Home

The work-from-home trend has been around for quite some time and many people make a good living doing it. However, the pandemic has forced more businesses and individuals on board than ever before.

While brick-and-mortar businesses will certainly not disappear, companies and individuals will certainly rethink their online presence. Many will continue to work-from-home after things are back to the new normal. And this could be a way they are able to save money.

Educational Options

Out of necessity, many parents with kids in K-12 are keeping their children home and allowing them to take classes online. While many parents already virtually school or traditionally homeschool their children, even more are doing that during the pandemic.

Many parents and schools are seeing the benefits of an online education, especially when it comes to keeping their kids safe. Colleges and universities across the country have moved in that direction too in some cases.

While school will resume as usual, in many cases, some parents may decide that virtual learning is the best way to go instead.

Clean, Clean, Clean

The coronavirus pandemic has really shined a light on how important it is to make sure people are practicing good personal hygiene and disinfecting their homes. The CDC has recommended people clean high-traffic surfaces and their hands regularly to prevent the spread of the virus. Americans were so enthusiastic about these guidelines stores across the country ran out of hand soap, hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes.

These are definitely good habits that should be carried forward. Even if COVID-19 is eliminated, disinfecting surfaces and your hands is a good way to prevent the spread of illness.

More Positive Views of Technology

Before the pandemic, some people were constantly going on about how social media and too much screen time was ruining society. They said that so much time online was making it difficult for people, children included, to be social when they were out in the public.

With social distancing and lockdowns, technology became the best means of communication and is crucial in keeping people connected with their loved ones and friends. Imagine what this would have been like had technology, social media sites such as Facebook (News - Alert) and the like not been invented yet? Some people now see how social media and other forms of technology might also be beneficial.

These are just a few of the ways that COVID-19 has changed us as a society. There are negatives, of course, but there are also a few positives that have come out of the experience. The world will get back to the new normal when all is said and done, but a few of these things will stick around and be used much more often in the future.