Effects of COVID-19: Social Fallout
I’ve been watching and learning from global reaction to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no doubt that some countries have handled it better than others. The time for “blame games” and recriminations will come later; let’s first learn from the different types of “fallout” we’ve seen, starting with “Social Fallout”.
Isolation:
There’s little doubt that early isolation of individuals from potential carriers has been one of the key strategies in containing the spread of the virus. With fewer people circulating, transmission may be reduced, and health services will have more time to care for the truly sick as well as to find antidotes. The downside is that those who are more vulnerable in various ways may be left isolated. Balance of risk needed here.
Be Prepared:
One of the results of the sudden “lockdown orders” we’ve seen is panic buying. Toilet paper, hand sanitiser, surgical masks and disinfectant have flown off supermarket shelves with some individuals buying what are clearly excessive amounts. From a very early stage in my parents’ marriage, they learnt to have at least two-weeks supply of essential items at all times in the house: food, consumables, cooking facilities (in case the mains electricity went out).
Support Services:
Call centres, banks and other services may find they are unable to cope with the “usual volumes” of calls due to social distancing rules imposed by government. This could affect the more vulnerable members of society most adversely.
Inequality:
Inequalities will widen. People with low incomes will be hardest-hit by social-distancing measures, and most likely to have the chronic health conditions that increase their risk of severe infections.
… And Social Levelling:
People whose privilege and power would normally shield them from a crisis are facing quarantine, testing positive, and losing loved ones along with everyone else. Senior government officials are falling sick. The consequences of defunding public-health agencies, losing expertise, and stretching hospitals are no longer manifesting as angry opinion pieces, but as overwhelmed health care staff and the unenviable situation of doctors having to decide who lives and who dies because of limited medical equipment.
Increased Creativity:
As we are “confined to barracks”, people come up with novel ideas for entertainment, exercise and staying in touch. The “COVID period” will see development of novel solutions and new services as well as increased usage of home delivery and diagnosis techniques.
I've spent more than half my life delivering change in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With more than 20 years in international financial services around the world running different operations and lending businesses, I started my own Consultancy to provide solutions for improving performance, productivity and risk management. I work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. My website provides a full picture of my portfolio of services. For strategic questions that you should be asking yourself, follow me at @wkm610.
Labels: Crisis Management, Leadership, Productivity, Social, Teamwork
posted by William Martin @ 18:02
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