Are you ready for Post-Pandemic Posturing?

Parts of the world are easing their lockdown, and corporations are trying to figure out how to get people to come out and spend.

Simon Property Group, one of the world's largest owners of retail space, is reopening 49 of its malls and outlet centers. To keep shoppers safe, the company plans to close doors at 7 pm on weekdays and stay completely closed on Sunday — "to allow for cleaning overnight." The company also plans to "regularly sanitize high-touch areas such as food court tables, escalators, door knobs and electronic directories".

On the hospitality front, Airbnb announced a new plan that will require hosts to keep a buffer of 24 hours between bookings and "encourage" them to follow rigorous cleaning procedures and use protective equipment when tending to guest areas.

At the office, WeWork published a document with information on initiatives to keep its members safe. These include putting stickers on the floor to encourage people to stand away from each other and designating specific seats within meeting rooms to keep attendees apart.

These policies are commendable, but I doubt they'll make a big difference — as long as the virus is still out there, and assuming it is indeed highly contagious. We're headed into a period of Post-Pandemic Posturing: Companies will enact policies that are mostly inefficient but look like "action" to reduce the spread. Those who are at risk will remain at risk; those who aren't, will be able to tell themselves they're doing what's right.