The year 2020 will go down in infamy.
Now, coming out of a national health crisis, where the coronavirus helped expose imperfections in several American systems including health, education and economics we are just peeking over the horizon as a sense of normalcy is being re-established. As cases continue to fall globally, more Americans are feeling optimistic about summer plans and life beyond the pandemic.
The pandemic forced a new way of life. Restructuring the education system, hybrid and virtual learning moved students to an alternative learning style. While some students thrived, others faced difficulties in access to viable internet connections as a result of the digital gap, inability to understand material and navigate browsers and other roadblocks. Nevertheless, students used the pandemic as an opportunity to become innovative with learning and it gave parents an inside look into their child’s education.
Although the traditional school year was shaken up, when students, teachers and faculty return to the buildings this fall, the upcoming school year will be sure to carry the lessons learned from the pandemic. For Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), deciding to return to face-to-face learning in March came with the option of offering virtual learning as a hybrid tool.
“The decision for Detroit Public Schools Community District to have face-to-face learning as an option was a decision made based upon the current data available,” says Terrence Martin, President of the Detroit Federation of Teachers. “We continue to stand by operating in the best interest of the teachers, faculty, students and their families. Teachers and families still have the option to continue virtually or participate in face-to-face. We will continue to monitor this situation and make sure the best decisions and practices are in place.”
For working adults, the pandemic caused a great halt to the “normal” workday. While social distancing measures were put into place, employees were forced to pivot to working from home or were ousted and relied on unemployment assistance. Now, Michigan’s economy is on the uptick with hopes of returning better than ever.
“Michigan is poised for an economic jumpstart as we emerge from the pandemic together and put Michiganders back to work,” says Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The latest GDP numbers show that while we still have work to do, our laser focus on building back better is working. Michigan’s economy grew 7.6 percent in the first quarter of 2021, the best in the Midwest, higher than the national average, and among the top 10 states nationwide. Because of the decisive actions we took early on to combat COVID led by science and data, we saved lives and helped our economy recover more quickly. Our focus now is continuing Michigan’s economic jumpstart by taking advantage of the unprecedented opportunity we have thanks to the billions in federal aid we have received under the American Rescue Plan and our $3.5 billion budget surplus. Together, we can put more people back to work, ensure small businesses thrive and make lasting, transformative investments in our people.”
To further help, Michigan Works! is providing enhanced services for claimants to get back into the workforce. The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Program, or RESEA for short, is providing a boost to the state’s economy. Gov. Whitmer, together with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, have announced an approximate $3.8 million investment to the Michigan Works! network to provide re-employment services and help eligible unemployed Michiganders return to work.
“RESEA services provide increased career support and guidance to unemployment insurance claimants, resulting in quicker transitions back to employment,” says Jennifer Llewellyn, director of Oakland County Michigan Works!. “Many RESEA customers also choose to enroll in postsecondary education with financial support from Michigan Works!.”
While getting back to traditional work days is the goal, the pandemic has proven some jobs can be done just as efficiently from a remote location. Allowing parents additional mobility in day-to-day tasks, working from home has helped to alleviate the cost of childcare while bringing down daily stressors. However, for some, the stress of home and work have piled up on each other.
“Stress levels are a bit elevated. Now, work stress mixes in with home stress and really has no way to separate the two to break from one,” says Kyle Howard, who is currently working from home in the mortgage industry.
Amid the pandemic, businesses and companies were able to display their compassion. Extending the once-rarely offered opportunity to work from home, employers have shown its workers coming to the office is not always necessary. Maintaining viable options to work a split schedule of home and office is something many employees are hoping remains post-pandemic.
“COVID has taught me that the workforce can give an inch, if they want to. All of this opportunity to work from home that initially wasn’t there before is crazy,” says Howard. “I hope that honestly 100 percent remote positions become more common as people return to work knowing that it can be done without negatively impacting the company’s success.”
About Post Author
