4 Lessons Learned from 2020 to Carry into The New Year

2020 has been an unprecedented year filled with ups, downs, and adjustments for many. From changes to work environments, to job losses, and the increase in time spent at home, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed lives across the nation and across the world.

One thing that has changed for the better has been in the increase of care and attention to public health and safety. The threat of contracting COVID-19 has forced many to reconsider how they approach others and how they approach the world. Moving into 2021, there have been 4 significant lessons learned during 2020 that can help us continue to move in a positive, healthy, and safe direction.

How to Properly Wash (or Sanitize) Hands

One of the biggest lessons of 2020 was proper hand washing techniques. Hand washing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Hands should be washed before, during, and after preparing food, as well as before and after eating food, after using the bathroom, after touching your nose or coughing, and after touching garbage. When in doubt, opt for washing your hands to not only protect yourself, but the people around you.

What it Means to Be Prepared on the Road

Being prepared on the road used to mean having your insurance information handy and knowing what to do after a car accident. In a pandemic world, being prepared on the road now means having extra masks, gloves, hand sanitizing liquid, and copies of your information in your car at all times.

If you are involved in a car collision, it is important to ensure you follow all local guidelines about mask usage and social distancing protocols. Take photos, exchange contact information as well as insurance information, and try to stay as calm as possible. If you need additional assistance or if someone is injured, contact the police.

Ways to Social Distance

Social distancing, also known as physical distancing, means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not part of your household. Practicing social distancing means staying about 6 feet away from other people in both indoor and outdoor settings.

As social distancing has become increasingly more important, so have the efforts to see our friends and loved ones in creative and unique ways. From socially distanced picnic parties to Zoom sessions, 2020 has taught us that just because we can’t be physically close doesn’t mean we can’t be with our loved ones. As we move into 2021, virtual and social distanced hangouts will become the norm.

Setting Yourself Up For Success in a New Working Environment

Perhaps one of the biggest adjustments for many Americans was forgoing the daily commute and working from home. While working from home sounds ideal, it does bring its own unique challenges. From getting into a new routine to acclimating to Zoom meetings from your home office, 2020 showed us that we can and we will adjust to a new normal when working from home. Setting hours for work, getting dressed, having a designated area to work, and getting ready for the day are just a few tips we’ve learned to make working from home as productive as can be.

If you work in the front lines or continue to report to your place of employment, you have seen first-hand how the pandemic has shifted in day to day operations. As we shift into the new year, those shifts have become the new norm, helping us understand what to expect and what is expected.

Welcoming 2021

2020 has taught us many lessons that can help us continue to move in a positive, healthy, and safe direction. Of those lessons, there are four that particularly stand out regarding day to day life and how we have adapted to living in a global pandemic.

Moving forward into 2021, we can take these lessons and set ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities up for continued success.