Final answer:
Before COVID-19, people often engaged in face-to-face activities and travel, while after, they shifted to virtual interaction and remote work due to lockdowns and school closures. The pandemic led to increased unemployment, mental health issues, domestic and racial violence, but also had some positives like better air quality and a higher appreciation for essential workers. The full impact of these changes, including on labor force participation and education, is yet to be seen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The experiences of individuals and societies before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic vary greatly. Prior to the pandemic, many people spent their days engaging in outdoor activities, social gatherings, traveling, and exploring new places. In contrast, as schools closed in March 2020 and institutions transitioned to online learning, many found themselves participating in virtual events and adapted to remote work, challenging both students and teachers to navigate a new digital landscape without adequate resources.
The global health crisis stemming from the rapid spread of the coronavirus has led to significant changes in daily routines. Businesses shut down, causing unemployment rates to skyrocket and increasing incidents of domestic and racial violence. Moreover, the shift to online interactions and the suspension of routine healthcare exacerbated the psychological impacts, leading to increased substance use and mental health issues.
Yet, there were some silver linings amid the upheaval. Environmental improvements were observed due to decreased traffic, social media technologies like Zoom became widespread, and the role of essential workers was more greatly appreciated. Nonetheless, the true long-term impacts of the pandemic on labor force participation, educational practices, and overall societal functioning will take years to fully comprehend.