The pandemic is tearing across this country and the globe, and while some places handle it well, others struggle to enforce mask usage, practice social distancing, and use other scientifically-determined best practices. There is also massive job loss here in the US in many different industries; however, even with this adversity, we have to note that some companies have found ways to thrive. These are some of the industries that are proving to be pandemic-proof.
Online Teaching
One undeniable thing about the pandemic is that it has taught many individuals and business entities that it’s possible to work from home. Working from home means no commute (so there are less carbon emissions), people can sleep in longer, and companies save money because they don’t have to rent office space. Online teaching is something that’s thriving right now. Part of that is because kids can’t go back to school safely at the moment. Because of this, educators can offer classes online. They can also plan courses for their own higher learning, either on their own or as part of accredited universities.
Delivery Services
Delivery services can also thrive during a pandemic, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing. Amazon is the juggernaut that dwarfs the competition, but there’s also FedEx, UPS, and the US postal service. People don’t necessarily want to leave the house to go to brick-and-mortar stores, and that’s easy to understand. Even with masks and social distancing, you may not want to risk exposure, especially if you’re immunocompromised. As a result, delivery drivers are getting all the hours they want, and warehouse workers are busy these days too. Online ordering and delivery numbers were going up even before the pandemic struck, so this trend is hardly surprising.
Ride Shares
The ride share industry is also thriving. Services like Uber and Lyft are active during the pandemic, and that’s probably not going to change. People still need to go places, and individuals with reduced mobility need to get to doctor’s appointments, for instance, and might not want to take public transportation. With ride sharing, it’s not possible for the passenger to socially distance from the driver. They’ll be within six feet of each other, so there is a danger element involved; however, as long as everyone in the vehicle wears a mask, the possibility of the virus being transmitted is much lower.
Grocery Stores
People still need food, so grocery stores never closed down, even with high pandemic deaths and infection numbers. This is because there are some easy solutions to staying safe in the grocery store. Masks and social distancing help, as do containers of hand sanitizer, which most stores provide at the entrances and exits. Many of them also have marks on the ground by the cash registers that indicate how to keep six feet apart and they have also put up plexiglass barricades between the cashiers and the customers.
Food Delivery
Another thriving business is food delivery. Open neighborhood restaurants often have their own delivery vehicles, but if they don’t, they’re relying on platforms like Door Dash and GrubHub to deliver food to their customers. These platforms partner with many different restaurants and offer their food to hungry customers who don’t want to leave the house. People are ordering from home more than ever right now, which is another indication that people are not willing to go back to restaurants yet, and they’re not eager to go grocery shopping either. It’s great that food delivery exists right now because it provides jobs for the delivery drivers as well. It’s a way for cautious people to get a meal at home, and it’s also a way for local restaurants to stay open and continue making a profit.
Drive-In Movie Theaters
One more business that’s doing surprisingly well during the pandemic is drive-in movie theaters. Most indoor theaters around the country are still closed, and people are itching to get out of the house and do something. Even though Hollywood’s biggest summer movie releases are all getting pushed back, drive-ins are showing classic films and getting large turnouts. Even though it’s easy to see what’s happening right now as a profound negative, it’s still nice to know that some businesses continue to thrive. It’s focusing on these positives that will get us through this rough patch until scientists develop a dependable vaccine.
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