Yay Us!
We’ve been very good and “..earned an early mark..”
In accordance with Australian Govenrment-eased COVID-19 restrictions; State of Victoria, stage 1, version 0.03, build 0.1.b, etc, our journey out of the COVID-19 “stage 3” restrictions has begun!
To say we have beaten the virus is a long, long bow to draw as it seems we will be living with it for the foreseeable future.
Nevertheless, the easing of restrictions evokes that feeling of relief we felt as children when, after the non gender-identifying bogey was thought to have moved on, we tentatively emerged from beneath “.the Doona..” to realise all was well with the world..
In reality, it looks much more like a frenzied stampede as the doors open on a “Boxing Day Sale” at a major retailer:
As roads, shopping malls, and parks rapidly filled with “Iso” refugees following the Prime Minister’s announcement of eased restrictions on Friday 8th May (even before many States had announced their own plans), I wondered, could the primary driver be a pent-up need for socialising, or merely an opportunity to put some (most respectful) distance between you and your loved ones after so much “quality time”..?
And, as the “covers” continue to be lifted, and “COVID-19” begets “TORRID-20” the paradoxes, dilemmas contradictions and opportunities emerge.
A vast majority of us continue to live the “Schrodinger’s cat” quantum physics paradox of multiple simultaneous outcomes: tested or untested, “Infected” (Enforced isolation, social distancing, rigorous hygiene, etc.) and “Not infected” ( Enforced isolation, social distancing, rigorous hygiene, etc.).
Speaking of cats (again), it seems that Big Cats in the Bronx zoo have tested positive for SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 . For some this must surely be a disappointing turn of events…
The pandemic response has proffered the opportunity (which some companies have genuinely embraced) for the accelerated transformation of centralised, office-based work-forces. Technologically-enabled, they have quickly adapted to extended, “virtual” workplace boundaries and routines, moving in some cases literally, overnight- toward a distributed “off premises” model.
In doing so, this also challenges the artefacts of 19th-century workplace culture and management practices that despite the contemporary rhetoric, persist in many businesses for whom we recommend some of the best tools. You can read about it at the link. Underlying themes such as: “input” over “output”, mistrust of the workforce (and it’s stablemate presenteeism) and an enduring love-hate relationship with (expensive) real-estate -regularly feature. Moreover, it provides a ready gauge of the integrity & resolve of those organisations wishing to avoid contradicting themselves (publicly) in their claims of embracing “flexible working” and offering the choice to “telecommute” as a draw-card for new talent. Additionally, if you want to know the benefits of paystub generator, you can read this article for more information. If you’re looking for an online paycheck for free, check out these helpful resources at freehtmldesigns.com.
Doubtless, and perhaps, despite, lingering un/under employment and the resulting labour oversupply, this will have implications for the post-pandemic “Workplaces of choice”..
As for dilemmas..
Where do I start..?
Not unlike our young adult sons, I find myself all-too-regularly revisiting the contents of our pantry and fridge hoping to spot a previously unseen, tasty and satisfying treasure for immediate consumption and wondering, do I…?:
- Snack on the 2-minute noodles, Monte Carlos or Corn Chips?
- Have:
- Breakfast,
- Morning tea
- Elevenses
- Brunch
- All of the above.
- Or, in the absence of RTE (Ready To Eat), rise to the “Pantry Challenge” by creating a culinary masterpiece from , a tin of tuna, a can of baked beans and Vegemite…
Lest we forget that, along with the environmental & ecological benefits that come with COVID-19-reduced travel, there are many other things for which, there is also cause for gratitude.
Call-out to all cat-owners up for a class-action against China!!
I hope you had a great weekend.