The coronavirus is forcing us into the future. Let’s live up to the challenge.

COVID-19 presents some unprecedented challenges to us as a society. 

But, as many have pointed out, we could have seen many of these challenges coming and been prepared for them already.

We have the technology, tools, and wealth to respond well. But it’s our mindset that needs to change. 

We need to think and act in line with the future that we want, not based on how we’ve always done things.  

Here are five ideas to keep in mind as we are forced into this new world. 

1. We are all in this together

This is not a Chinese problem. This is not an old-person problem. This is not an I-don’t-have-it-yet-so-it’s-not-my-problem problem. This is a humanity problem.

The decisions we make should be made with all humanity in mind. Even if you are not in a high risk group, you can still easily infect others. If you (or your company or event) are careless, you could put unnecessary stress on the healthcare system and could cause things to get much worse. 

We must realize that we all live in an ecosystem. Our actions have an impact on everyone. If one person is at risk, we are all at risk. Let’s solve this together. Don’t focus on figuring out whom to blame (which doesn’t help now) or how to isolate ourselves (which we can’t). 

2. Be an ally to those who are more impacted than you

It’s likely that you’re going to be fine. You can work from home. You can figure out child care. You can take some sick days. You’ve got some money in the bank. You may even have some unexpected fun in these next few weeks. 

But when an event like this happens, we need to think empathetically about who will suffer the most: hourly wage earners, single parents, older adults, and small businesses that rely on foot traffic or events.

Reach out to individuals or groups to see how you can give from your privilege to help others for whom this is a real emergency.

Now is not the time to hoard. Go out and buy gift cards to local businesses. Help figure out child care. Give employees extra sick days. Continue to pay vendors who rely on hourly wage earners.  

Don’t let your money and time sit wasted. Now is the time to invest it in your communities.  

3. Don’t panic, adapt

Buying all the hand sanitizer and toilet paper you can find is not helping. Again, we have to think about being in an ecosystem. No one benefits when you are panicking and hoarding. 

Instead, find ways to adapt. Don’t expect to live the same life you’ve always lived (e.g. sitting around watching basketball), but learn to live a new one that you may end up enjoying more. Take advantage of extra time with children and family. Write more. Read more. Plan a trip to a local, but sparsely populated area. Work out the kinks of what it means to work from home. Get used to video calls and virtual meetings. 

4. Be proactive against loneliness

Loneliness is already sharply on the rise. Making people stay home seems like it could be the final straw that turns this into the most reclusive time in history. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Plan for regular times to check in with co-workers, family members, neighbors, and elderly friends. Schedule video calls. Think about the people you know who live alone and make sure they are fine. 

While practicing safe precautions, find ways to visit people and connect as very small groups. We need each other now more than ever. We should face this challenge as a community and not as individuals.

5. Overcommunicate

Anyone who has experience working remotely knows how important communication is. When you are not in a co-located space, you miss out on key information. When everyone is dispersed, you are forced to level-up your game with communication. Small companies who go remote must have the communication infrastructure of companies much larger than them. 

It takes time to figure out, but establish ground rules for how to use communication and make sure that you have a solid digital workplace that makes sure that everyone stays in touch, regardless of where they are. 

What strikes me most about this list, is that these are all things we should be doing anyway, whether or not there is a virus. Adjusting to life in the future means that we must be more closely united in purpose than ever before. Take time over the next few weeks to dig deep into your humanity and find a new way to live.