Is it safe to start going back to the office? Is it ok to get back to the normal routine? Am I putting my family at risk? We all have encountered these questions while thinking of going back to the office after the lockdown ended. The new normal has begun and we have started accepting the change. With the masks and sanitisers, we are keeping ourselves protected.
How is the current covid situation worldwide?
There are around 21.6 Million active cases worldwide, with 96 Million cases that have recovered. As per WHO- “Over 2.6 million new cases were reported last week, a 7% increase compared to the previous week, following six consecutive weeks of declines. The global case increase was driven by increases in the Eastern Mediterranean (14%), South-East Asia (9%), Europe (9%) and the Americas (6%).”
For the vaccination, as per Bloomberg- “The biggest vaccination campaign in history is underway. More than 312 million doses have been administered across 116 countries, according to data collected by Bloomberg. The latest rate was roughly 8.08 million doses a day.”
Do I really need to return to the daily office routine?
Some estimates report that over 52% of US jobs are compatible with remote work, for the others, at least intermittent presence in the office is required for their work. Staying home for work has its comforts, but it has also disturbed our daily lifestyle routines. It is not only affecting us physically but also mentally. A KFF Health Tracking Poll found that many adults are reporting specific negative impacts on their mental health and well-being, such as difficulty sleeping or eating, increases in alcohol consumption or substance use, and worsening chronic conditions, due to worry and stress over the pandemic. We need to weigh down all the points and then decide if the return to the office is required.
How prepared is the office space?
We need to analyse how prepared and cautious our workplace is to keep the environment healthy and safe for the employees. Offices need to adapt to new ways of planning, from space utilisation for social distancing to maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the workspace. Proper guidelines to be followed by everyone.
Still, Working From Home?
An ergonomic Chair, Desk and a nice corner of the house with light and silence, computer and good internet connectivity are what you need for a productive day while working from home. It is recommended that we follow a routine, focus on health by exercising regularly and also meditating to maintain our mental and physical health.
