Our post-Corona Future

Bad News first

Printing Money has a huge delayed Cost

Governments’ massive stimulus packages will eventually have to be paid for. But how and by whom? One undesirable scenario is hyperinflation – inflating the debt away. With the incredible amounts of money being printed now, inflation is kept artificially low. The other – more likely – scenario is that future generations will have to pay it back – hopefully supported by economic growth. There will be significant tax increases across all income levels in the near future!

Social Media are a mixed Blessing

While social media are important to stay in touch in times of social distancing, they are also meaninglessly diverting our focus from what really counts. Self-reflection, deep conversations and calmly focusing on the priorities at hand often fall by the wayside.

Working from Home – yeah right!

What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done. There are no effective accountability mechanisms being enforced right now. Many are just covering the minimum work and in reality it’s a part-time vacation. No economy can afford this for longer than a few months.

The Good News

Modesty and Self-reliance are back

We will cherish again what we have, especially those of us who still have a job. Looking at what we can do ourselves to proactively manage the risks in our lives, without relying on government. People are now re-developing basic survival skills and making do with less. Luxury goods and cars? While some pent-up demand will materialize, overall demand will be less. Previous entitlement attitudes will be frowned upon. Freedom and self-determination will be valued more. Good!

We will fly again!

Travel has become a basic need – at least for me. Weak airlines will not survive, and air fares will likely go up. Airbus and Boeing will cut production due to massive cancellations. The cruise industry will shrink. And yet we will travel again: To learn, to enjoy, to marvel and to meet interesting people. Hope is in the air (pun intended – me being a former bush pilot and aviation buff).

Who will harvest our Espargus and Strawberries?

It’s simple: Locals who left farm work to migrant workers and new immigrants will be more willing to take low-level jobs to make a living. Those who have already applied for immigration need to be treated in the the same fair way as before.

Social Distancing will be followed by a Baby Boom and……

Go figure! But it’s only seemingly a contradiction. Cabin fever is setting in on a large scale, across all countries. Within family homes, social distancing cannot really happen unless someone caught the virus. Without the ability of seeing friends and going out……people make babies. At the very same time, divorce rates will also go up. After our long winters with incipient cabin fever, Yukoners say “spring breakup doesn’t necessarily mean only the ice is breaking up”.

What will happen to Political Correctness?

The purveyors of political correctness just struck again: Now it’s “physical” not social distancing. They still don’t have anything better to do. Post-crisis there will be less time and tolerance for political correctness and victimhood. Good!

Human Creativity will prevail

Look at all the innovation emerging now: Retailers finding inventive delivery solutions, airlines repurposing passenger planes to carry cargo, apps that help us to live through the crisis, car manufacturers producing medical devices. There will be a wave of medical innovations to prepare us better for the next virus. There will be fantastic new business opportunities. Now is the time to think about those!

…..and so will good Humour

One coping-mechanism I now observe every day is keeping our good humour. It works.