Getting Through COVID-19: A Local and Global Approach

2020 was supposed to be a big year. Major global inventions were on the horizon, the UAE was planning the World’s largest EXPO, China was moving towards digital currency, and a massive technological uplift across the world was expected. 

Who would have guessed a pandemic would strike? It was something that we thought belonged only to movies and stories.

It was the beginning of 2020 when this lethal outbreak stunned the world, locking down cities, causing suffering, crashing economies; the worst recession in history hit many businesses forcing them to shut down. 

Given those examples, my story might not seem to count for much, but I did have big plans for this year. The following is a common man’s take on COVID-19 and how it affected lives. 

So how did this pandemic affect the common man?

About me

My 8+ years of hands-on experience in sales and marketing serving various global brands and leading Pakistan’s sales and operations teams have given me knowledge in analyzing trade through its political, socio-economic, technological, and legal lenses. This has helped me to examine the current pandemic closely and gather the facts that can turn this turmoil into a success.  

Much of my job entails being on my laptop. Luckily, the digital marketing and writing sector is perhaps one of the least affected by COVID-19 interruptions. If anything, there’s been a sudden inflation in demand for online content creation as more businesses turn to digital marketing during the time of lockdown to increase online traffic and enhance their online presence. 

Remote working has rapidly become the norm and is already making an impact with greater productivity. The opportunity to work from my home office with family members (who, in my case, are also working remotely), has caused me to re-evaluate the entire pandemic. 

There is a barrage of rumors around this pathogen and even more around the extent of havoc that this pandemic has wrought upon us. But is it really all that bad? 

We surely must discuss the various ways in which COVID-19 seems to have impacted our daily lives. As an associate of a Pakistani based company, how well have I, and those around me, coped with the brunt of this unprecedented outbreak? Will the situation change for the better or is the worse? Questions similar to these require immediate answers.

What has changed, and what we can make better

There is no doubt COVID-19 has changed much of the way the world functions. This section reflects on some of these changes.

A Tale of Two Policies 

The inconsistencies on television talk shows surrounding the do’s and don’ts of proper social distancing are enough to drive you crazy. Television news channels are nothing more than a constant banter between left- and right-wing politics. But, even as such, we’ve learned important lessons. 

The line dividing nations that are for or against active lockdown is becoming increasingly visible. On one hand, we have South Korea that has managed to keep its number of COVID-19 cases relatively low. That said, South Korea is still under what could be classified as a self-imposed state of lockdown. This poses a strong contrast when compared to the turmoil that the United States, United Kingdom, and many other European nations are facing over lockdown restrictions. 

The Pakistani government seems more in line with the latter. Ridiculous as it is to see federal and provincial authorities fight over medical supplies and lockdown timelines, it illuminates the fractures in our political system.

Struggling to contain a disease as sinister and infectious as COVID-19 is not easy, but it has taught both the Pakastani government and the citizens the importance of solidarity and coming together as a unified nation. 

While authoritative and centralized governance in some countries, such as China, makes it easier to implement state-wide lockdowns, the political systems in other countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, India, and Pakistan, are completely different. It doesn’t come as a surprise then that these less authoritative countries struggled to end the battle with COVID-19, though we are beginning to see great improvements. 

Remodeling Our Social Patterns

Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has had a direct impact on our social landscape. What we’ve noticed is a complete shift in tourism patterns, social life, and work routines. While the lockdown has pushed the majority of us into forging a healthier bond with our families and maybe even removing some stress by binge-watching our favorite shows on repeat, it also set into motion some unpalatable social patterns. 

First, there has been a sudden change in consumer behavior reflecting a rising sense of panic amongst the public. 

Prices suddenly soared even when the global commodity and oil prices took a record dive. Economy experts are hoping for governmental relief programs to bring back some kind of balance. 

Changes in consumer behavior and price inflation aren’t our only concerns. This may feel like a perfect time for homebodies (like myself), but social butterflies have nowhere to go to flap their wings! This has added stress for many of the extroverts across the world.

Working remotely may not be such a bad idea

With social distancing in place, the phenomenon of working from home is on the rise. The good news is that it may be a win-win situation for most parties involved. 

Since the pandemic, most job listings have given applicants the option to ‘work remotely’. While the transport industry may suffer slightly from its impact, a study reveals that home-based employees are more productive than their office-based counterparts. 

But we must remember that most governments have chosen to rely on voluntary social distancing as an answer to the threat of the virus surrounding us. But this won’t work without mass acceptance of restriction norms by the general public. When I witness scenes of people celebrating the easing of lockdown by embracing each other while wearing surgical masks, it doesn’t quite feel right…

Countries such as South Korea, Australia, and Sweden have emerged as incredible success stories amid the cluster of pandemic ridden nations. What did they do right? If we were to take away one practice common to all three, it’d be a voluntary implementation of the prevalent social distancing norms. And let’s face it, with scores of digital media platforms making face-to-face interaction possible, it shouldn’t be all that difficult. 

Legal restrictions on movement: Has transaction become complicated? 

Not really. In Pakistan, Force Majeure is a clause that parties can invoke for compensation upon noncompletion of projects within a designated time. Relaxations are given to a party that fails to meet a deadline on a case-by-case basis. 

For the most part, such invocations haven’t been necessary. With fiscal transactions running smoothly across borders, and businesses switching to digital mode of production, workflows largely remain uninterrupted. So if you’re hoping to dump some COVID-19 related excuse over your procrastinating habits, think again! 

What’s happening to the economy? 

Poor market performance and economic downturn were unfortunately expected even before the virus hit Pakistan’s borders. Overall, two main sectors, industrial and agricultural, failed to meet the projected scores. Now due to the virus, according to the World Bank, the economy will further suffer from a negative growth between 1% to 1.5% and forecasts a loss of $15 billion. 

In such a circumstance, labor downsizing and business layoffs become inevitable. Almost no country was an exception to this.  

There is still a glimmer of hope to stop the multi-year recession initially predicted. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have stepped forward to help sustain Pakistan’s economy by contributing to the commendable PKR 1.13 trillion ($6.76 billion) support program. 

Like most governments, an investment plan has been put in place in Pakistan to help jump-start the economy. Through subsidized loans granted to the manufacturing sector and a refinance facility package offered to fuel investment, the government hopes to lessen the economic hardships for the masses. 

Grim pictures of labor layoffs unfold, but so do increased instances of individual charity, showcasing solidarity and non-governmental support. Next to the relief programs introduced by the government, these micro-managed charity interventions go a long way in improving social conditions for all. 

Ensuring proper food supply 

COVID-19 has caused the Pakastani government to take preemptive measures to ensure food security. Several previously running cash transfer programs are used to distribute stipends and ration amongst the economically misfortuned. Measures such as waving all taxes on food items, greatly reducing oil prices, and deferring utility bills for those falling below a fixed income amount for three months can help ensure the food supply chain. 

Technology’s increasing role

The pandemic has taught us to get smart with technology. Even the government has caught on, using advertisements on our favorite apps and platforms to convey safety messages. 

The educational sector has also been completely remodeled with the use of technology. While the government of Pakistan has initiated its first ever televised educational platform, many schools have turned to digital learning software as an alternative to the traditional forms of education. Digital learning platforms are playing a great role in countering lockdown monotony. 

Moreover, international universities have started offering free online courses across the borders. Prospective learners from across the globe can apply for enrollment in these courses and be productive with all the extra time on their hands. 

Even the study of the virus has shown advancement using technology, with leading scientists and researchers coming together across borders to share knowledge and better understand the pandemic. Investment in the research sector holds great potential for return in the form of the key discoveries that can help curb future outbreaks.

Long-term opportunities

With the plethora of gloomy narratives surrounding COVID-19, it’s easy to lose sight of new prospects and opportunities. Though it is easy to see everything around us in a negative light, there are plenty of brilliant minds looking for opportunities.  

Yes, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, names all known to us during this pandemic, are increasing their net worth during the pandemic as says a study analyzing Forbes data. But it isn’t just these big players taking advantage and thinking outside of the box. Small companies and the health care industry are using this time to rethink the way they do business.

Final thoughts

The COVID-19 pandemic is also a chance to savor the extra time we get to spend with our families and taking time to utilize our mental energies to curate better and more productive ideas. The best we can do is to snap out of the mentality of despair as quickly as possible. Dwell less on what we are missing out on and focus on all the new opportunities.

During the past few months, I’ve witnessed humbling scenes of both governmental and non-governmental personnel stepping forth to cater to those badly hit by the pandemic. While it may not be enough, given the massive population figures here in Pakistan, what I, along with thousands of others are hoping for, is the beginning of a chain reaction of kindness.

Think about this: while the virus may be contagious, nothing is more infectious than charity.