April 28, 2020 | Awake & Dreaming

I am confused by the nature of coffee table books. I mean, why would you have a book, that is probably more expensive that the regular ones, as a decoration item for your living room furniture? I mean, I like having nice books in my collection but coffee table books for the sake of having something on your table?

A coffee table book is an oversized, usually hard-covered book whose purpose is for display on a table intended for use in an area in which one entertains guests and from which it can serve to inspire conversation or pass the time. Subject matter is predominantly non-fiction and pictorial (a photo-book). Pages consist mainly of photographs and illustrations, accompanied by captions and small blocks of text, as opposed to long prose.

When I look at some of the titles and covers that some people have in their home, it looks like they bought those books because someone else told them to and not because they wanted to read it or go through it themselves. Or they wanted something pretty for the coffee table and someone suggested “Why not get some coffee table books” and they went into a book store or went online and bought some books based on the covers and not the content. Aren’t we not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover though. Granted some coffee table books, especially based on photography are gorgeous inside and out and so if you like the subject matter, go for it. I have a few that I would like as well.

What was that idea and book that Cosmo Kramer came out with in Seinfeld? A coffee table book about coffee tables. And it’s full of pictures of celebrities coffee tables and then Kramer responds with “if u dont have a coffee table, it turns into one!” Hahaha. Now that is a book I would want on my table.

Facing health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic is an eye-opening experience. We have always taken our doctors and nurses for granted and expected them to cure our ailments. However, never have we faced an epidemic that puts the healthcare workers’ lives at high risk. Governments all around the world have to agree: Health care systems are, unfortunately, underfunded. Many workers struggle to get sufficient protective equipment in the long term. Those who use protective masks have shared selfies of their bruised and tired faces on social media at the end of a long shift. The word heroes has now become a synonym for health care workers. Nobody can deny how hard our doctors and nurses are working to keep us safe and save lives in the current situation. As a result, it is fair to expect that our interactions with the healthcare community are going to be changed after the pandemic.

Doctors and nurses find new ways to get in touch

Face-to-face interactions are not always an option, as COVID-19 is demonstrating. As a result, many doctors and nurses have looked for alternatives to engage with their patients and maintain regular contact. Patients who require ventilation assistance can use a tablet to talk to their relatives safely, for instance. Many health care workers recommend virtual and digital appointments whenever possible. Consequently, the future of health care is going to embrace digital interactions. Using mobile devices and apps allow for patient engagement, and catch-ups, not only with doctors and nurses but also with family and friends for hospitalised individuals. Additionally, we can also expect wearable technology to make an appearance in the post-COVID world, reducing the need for physical interactions and checkups for chronic diseases, for instance.

Perhaps it’s time for health selfies

Selfies have always been a popular way of sharing exciting experiences. Are you visiting a new country? Selfie it is! Meeting friends for a casual meal? Take a picture to remember the occasion. While some influencers and social media addicts might be causing a selfie overload, we still cherish the joy of sharing meaningful events through pictures. As we find out more about the role of health care workers in the pandemic, the Marvel heroes of the past are being replaced by casual doctor selfies. Many countries plan for free accommodation, free meals, or even a round of applause for their healthcare workers. How are those signs of appreciation going to carry on after the pandemic crisis? Chances are that more and more patients will be tempted to take a selfie with their doctor at the end of an appointment. #MedicalSelfie

I can do this online

It is a wakeup call for many of us who value face-to-face meetings. The belief that your doctor has to see you is being questioned. Indeed, can doctors offer a diagnosis without meeting their patients? The answer is yes, to a certain extent. Indeed, common ailments and health complaints could be quickly diagnosed via a video chat with your doctor. You can seize the opportunity to receive a prescription quickly, and reduce the risk of infection for people in the waiting room. Flu, common cold, or even a stomach bug could be kept safely at home, using virtual diagnosis and prescription tools. As a result, patients can also reduce pressure on doctors.

COVID-19 is transforming our perception of the health care system. We can expect a digitised health care world to appear at the end of the pandemic. Is it for the better? Only time will tell!