At the end of rainbow: looking past COVID-19

Last March, in a matter of days, most U.S. employers went from doing business as usual to fully or partially shutting down. At the same time, we watched the stock market tank and wondered if we would ever return to normal. One way or another, most employers regrouped and reenvisioned how they conducted their businesses, and employees adapted to working from home with kids attending school virtually. Now that we see light at the end of the tunnel, it's worthwhile to consider what the new normal may be like when we finally reach herd immunity.

Vaccine is here

Now that the vaccine has arrived, we know the end is in sight. Whether it will be June, July, or August, it's now just a matter of when and not if. I was lucky enough to get vaccinated and will be theoretically immune on March 3. I can tell you the feeling of knowing this will be over for me in five weeks is incredible (though mask wearing will still be necessary because the vaccine doesn't necessarily stop people from transmitting the disease).

The vaccine has changed everything and will end the pandemic. Employers will have to decide whether to mandate employees either get vaccinated or be terminated. Some states, such as Wisconsin, are already contemplating laws prohibiting employers from mandating vaccinations.