John M. Cunningham

Columnist

As I’ve written in previous columns, when the Post-Coronavirus Era begins—hopefully in early or mid-2021—many types of jobs will be in great demand because of federal laws and programs then in effect.  Furthermore, long-term planning about these jobs may be important for many New Hampshire business people even now.

The relevant jobs will include infrastructure jobs, green jobs and anti-pandemic jobs, which I wrote about in last week’s column.  They are also likely to include the additional types of jobs I’ll discuss below and in a final column on this subject in two or three weeks.

Policing

Because of the massive and long-standing concern of people of color but also, in recent weeks, of millions of white people about systemic police racism, the training and functions of police officers will undergo radical change during the Post-Coronavirus Era, and this charge will receive sustained support not only from states and municipalities but also from the federal government.  Interracial understanding and social compassion have been characteristic of many police officers in the past.  However, during the Post-Coronavirus Era these traits will become far more central to police work, and many individuals who, in the past, would never have considered becoming police officers will come to view police work as constituting just as much a patriotic calling as health care and social work.

Thus, you or your business may be in demand during the Post-Coronavirus Era if you can provide products or services useful to policing as restructured during that era, and friends and children of yours and perhaps even you yourself will become police officers.

Artistic and scholarly jobs

In the 1930’s, in a program known as the Federal Art Project, the federal government provided jobs to thousands of artists and scholars who otherwise could not have pursued their artistic or scholarly callings and might have been without employment.  These included, for example, painters, actors, playwrights, photographers, muralists and writers.  The federal government conducted the Federal Art Project because Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and their associates believed that artists and scholars could play a major role in unifying and inspiring America during the Great Depression.  

During the Post-Coronavirus Era, the federal government is likely to conduct a federal art project like the one it conducted in the 1930’s.

Thus, if you or your company provide artistic or scholarly services or products or services that support the arts or scholarship, you may well be in demand during the Post-Coronavirus Era.

Federal jobs

Over the course of many decades, and particularly during the Coronavirus Era, many U.S. citizens have come to view the federal government and government itself with suspicion and even with contempt because of what they perceive as its failure to meet the needs of ordinary citizens.  

However, in the Post-Coronavirus Era, many citizens, including especially the young, will experience the major benefits provided by the federal government and the value of these benefits in overcoming the horrific consequences of the Coronavirus Pandemic.  

Because of this experience, many American citizens in New Hampshire and nationwide will come to view federal government work, including, for example, administrative and scientific research jobs, as patriotic callings, and they will seek and obtain federal jobs. 

Thus, your business may benefit significantly  during the Post-Coronavirus Era if it provides or supports federal programs locally or nationally.

State and local jobs  

During the Coronavirus Era, most states and municipalities will have suffered reductions of at least 25% of their pre-Coronavirus revenues.  As a result, they will have to lay off hundreds of thousands of state and local employees.  These will include, for example, teachers, police officers, firemen, and garbage collectors, and these layoffs will affect private individuals and businesses that support these government workers in their work.

In the Post-Coronavirus Era, however, the federal government will provide massive financial support that will enable states and municipalities to rehire laid-off employees and the above private individuals and businesses. 

Thus, you and your business will benefit during the Post-Coronavirus Era if you provide support to state or municipal government operations.  

These articles are being shared with partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.