Covid-19 has reached pretty much every corner of the planet. And we're all in lockdown as a result. With most of us stuck in small apartments in urban settings, we've had to find something to keep ourselves from going crazy. People have found new hobbies, have either gained or lost a bunch of weight, and have watched more television than most would think is humanly possible.
But there are a couple of things that we've all gravitated to during lockdown. No matter where you are in the world, it's likely you've done one (or more) of the activities we've highlighted below.
Zoom Meetings
Online video conferencing platform Zoom is probably going to leave Covid-19 as a massive winner. With people no longer able to go to the office or meet up with friends and family, the online video call platform has become the preferred method of human contact.
People are now running Zoom quizzes and games, office meetings, family catch-ups, and some have even had a Zoom wedding! The platform has been such a huge success that big hitters like Google and Facebook are scrambling to catch up and offer a similar service.
Online Games and Casinos
Two industries that are clearly doing well out of the lockdown are video games and online casinos. The makers of both Call of Duty (CoD) and FIFA have reported huge surges in demand for their titles, with gamers flooding their servers to play against others from all over the globe.
Those players who no longer have the option of going to their favourite casino are now turning to the virtual versions. Online casinos are likewise reporting a surge in new members and returning customers. Some people are getting seriously lucky: Josh Stirling, a British salesman, won two jackpots as he played online slots while bored during the lockdown. He won over half a million! Of course, the pomp and circumstance of receiving a giant cheque might be missing, but nevertheless, thanks to the current situation, payments can be arranged remotely and securely via mobile applications.
Workout Videos
Shaun T. Tony Horton. Jilian Michaels. If you recognize any of these names, you've probably caught the workout video bug. Whether you're doing the gruelling 60-day Insanity challenge or trying out P90X for the first time, you're not alone.
With quarantine preventing people from hitting the gym or joining their CrossFit buddies, many are turning to exercises they can do at home. This trend is turning into big bucks for many fitness personalities. Joe Wicks, a popular fitness guru from England, has seen demand for his workout plans soar to the tune of over $1 million.
Netflix and Chill
The phrase 'Netflix and Chill' has done a rewind and has gone back to its original meaning. It now literally means watching Netflix and chilling 24/7. We're pretty sure that once lockdown is over, people will have seen countless films they'd never even heard of, watched old sitcoms from the 80s and 90s, and experienced one too many Adam Sandler films.
Netflix has become so popular during lockdown that the media giant has reduced video quality for a lot of its users. The internet basically can't cope with the sheer amount of people trying to watch Tiger King or the latest episode of the Last Dance.
Bikes are the New TP
Remember back when lockdown started and people were scrambling for toilet paper? Well, these days the shelves are stocked and you're unlikely to find yourself without a square. The new shortage item is the bicycle, with retailers reporting an uptick in demand in response to lockdown measures.
Bikes are popular for two big reasons: exercise and work commutes. With public transport being severely hindered and gyms being closed in most places, people are turning to two wheels to burn calories and get to the office. Considering municipalities are considering keeping some of the car restrictions post-coronavirus for environmental reasons, we expect the demand for bikes to continue to rise.
When Will It End?
Point blank: we have no idea. Some experts say the vaccine should arrive within the next 12-18 months, while others think we'll just have to learn to live with the virus. If things last any longer than a few months, we're pretty sure we'll leave lockdown with a new batch of expert Call of Duty players, Tour de France entrants, and film connoisseurs. Which one will you be?
