Probably the biggest question on most people’s minds these days is wondering when this coronavirus madness will end so that we can get back to normal. Sadly, I don’t have any insight on that. I know with Polio, work on a vaccine began in the late 1940s, with a working version announced to the public in 1955 and major vaccinations starting in 1957. So it might take a while.
What I do see glimpses of, however, is what our new normal might look like after COVID is finally defeated. I seriously doubt that things will completely go back to the way they were before. Piling into crowded offices, attending massive conventions, shaking hands with those we meet and eating lunch face-to-face with others is not something most people of this generation will ever feel comfortable doing again.
I came to this realization because in addition to writing this column for Nextgov, I also review quite a few products aimed at the federal government, businesses and enterprises for various publications. I also sometimes speak at conventions and more frequently moderate panel discussions with technically-minded guests and federal officials. Over the past few months, all of those activities have changed quite a bit in what I think is an early look into what may be our so-called new version of normal.
Let’s start with the product reviews and focus on the ones that I evaluate for use in federal agencies. Up until recently, these usually included everything from enterprise-level cybersecurity platforms to large office equipment. These days, the gear I test is decidedly smaller and designed for personal use, almost like a consumer product. And keep in mind that these products are mostly chosen by my editors after consultation with federal officials looking to find o ..
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