As a result of this horrific pandemic, and the toll, in terms of infection, and taking human lives, will the rest of the world, and, the United States, do things differently, in order to be far better prepared, and reduce health risk factors, etc, in the future, or, will we merely, proceed, with the same - old, same - old, politically expedient, populist ways, and risk greater damage, in years, to come? Will the American people, and well - intentioned public leaders, have the greatest influence, or, will we proceed, with the short - sighted, empty promises, lack - of - preparation, and rhetoric, articulated, probably, by President Donald Trump? If we wake - up, and seriously consider, the potentially dire ramifications, of not evolving, and planning/ proceeding, wisely, we will all, be, at - risk! With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 6 things, which may change, forever.

1. Malls: What will happen to malls, and the larger stores, which occupy them? How will malls convince shoppers, it's safe to return? How will they address over - crowding, air circulation, enhanced sanitation, etc? Will the malls of today, becoming, out - dated, and become the equivalent of Ghost Towns? Mall owners should be considering these, and other significant, relevant issues, in a responsible way, which addresses, both, the true health concerns, etc, as well as the perceived ones! If potential shoppers, don't feel it's safe, to return, they won't!

2. The number, and size of bank branches: Besides the health concerns, will banks discover, based on the experiences, during this pandemic, they do not need, branches, which are, as large, nor, as many branches, as they presently occupy? Because of health concerns, they have been emphasizing remote banking, and using Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), etc, and most bank lobbies, have been closed, except by appointments. Will they believe, they might increase their profits, by transforming, the size and configuration, of how they do business?

3. Other retail: Will smaller strip malls, largely, replace malls, because of these concerns? Will we see many larger retail establishments, either, go out of business, or, make their future stores, smaller, and less crowded? Already, some of the largest establishments, have considered, neighborhood stores, instead of their mega - stores. How will this be balanced, and proceed, forward?

4. Office size/ configurations/ split - shifts/ remote employees: For several reasons, I can envision, many businesses, deciding to down - size, for both, health, and economic reasons! How might they change their configurations, to reduce contact, and reduce health risks? Will more, change to split - shifts, etc? Since, for the past couple of months, those businesses, which have been able to remain open, have switched to a larger dependence on remote employees, and, if they can perfect that model, how might it be implemented, as part of their future policies, and operations?

5. Medical/ dental offices - layout, treatment, etc: What changes might medical and dental offices, make? Which might be mandated, in order to reopen? We will, almost, definitely, see a greater emphasis on Personal Protection Apparel, such as masks, head coverings, over - garments (disposable), etc! What changes/ enhancements/ improvements, will become the wave - of - the - future? How might air purification be enhanced? How will patient scheduling, etc, be affected? Will physicians, and dentists, need to change, schedules, times between patients, etc, so there are fewer, waiting in the Waiting Rooms, etc? With these changes, increased costs, and the ability to see, as many patients, reduced, won't these professionals, be adversely affected? Will the trend, to larger offices, be replaced, with a return, to smaller ones?

6. Restaurants of the future: What might the restaurants, of the future, look like? How many of these, especially, the independently owned ones, go permanently, out - of - business? For health reasons, how might occupancy levels, be affected/ reduced, and won't it make, owning these, less desirable, etc? Will the emphasis, switch, to a larger percentage, of take - out, and catering?

If we are to plan, and proceed wisely, into the future, many things, will probably need to change, or be re - thought/ considered? Will our public and business leaders, have the wisdom, and smarts/ guts, to do so?