FUTURISTS have revealed what the world might look like once the coronavirus crisis finally comes to an end.

The Sun spoke to two professional futurologists who think we could see the end of the "9 to 5", mass "prepping" and even more people driving cars.

Future-gazing Brit Tom Cheesewright reckons we'll soon see an end to normal working hours.

"Smart companies will realise that human beings aren't robots and let us work in more productive ways," Tom told The Sun.

"That means mapping the working day to your body clock so you get enough sleep. Working in bursts not long stretches.

"And breaking it up with some exercise," he added.

The number of people working from home has risen sharply and it's hard to imagine all office workers reverting to their old life.

So says Ian Pearson, a renowned futurist who thinks we'll see more people spending ditching the commute altogether in a post-coronavirus world.

"Closer to home, with everyone familiar with home working, many will stay at home more often," said Ian, speaking to The Sun.

"So there will be a bit less commuting, with less congestion, less pollution, and lower CO2."

Before 2020, people largely saw "preppers" doomsday-obsessed people who stockpile supplies and build bunkers as a bit nutty.

But Tom reckons the practice of prepping will be significantly more popular in years to come.

"The ultra-rich in the US have been prepping for years," Tom explained.

"It's a point of pride for Silicon Valley magnates that they all have a holiday home/bunker filled with enough tinned food and weapons to survive the zombie apocalypse.

"More people in the UK might now start to follow their example, turning spare rooms over to storage for every eventuality."

Health technology, expertise and techniques have been improved steadily but all health systems struggle under the weight of a pandemic.

Now national health infrastructure is more vital than ever, so Ian thinks much money will be poured into healthcare from now on.

"There is a little re-levelling of attitudes in our class system," said Ian.

"We're being forced to realise which people are really essential in running our society and also that some really are just decoration."Some benefits are political. Everyone right now appreciates the massive efforts of every health care worker looking after victims.

"But once it's over, it is important that the NHS as a whole is reformed to make sure it is much better able to cope the next time, and sadly there will be a next time.

"There will be much greater willingness to reform the NHS and make sure it is fit for purpose, not badly managed, inefficient and poorly focused as it has been."

And one big change could be bad for the environment: a boom in driving.

Tom thinks that more people will be pushed into using their own personal transport, which could make the rise of "green" electric vehicles more important than ever.

"Public transport is a scary place in a pandemic," said Tom.

"People have been turning away from cars for a while, learning to drive later in life. But that trend might slow post-coronavirus with a bump in car buying for those whose finances allow."

You can find Tom Cheesewright at his website, or the Talk About Tomorrow podcast.

And you can find Ian Pearson at his website, or his blog.

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Link:

Mass home-working and doomsday prepping futurists reveal what life after the coronavirus crisis could look - The Sun