On March 11, 2020, the whole world was put to a halt when the World Health Organization declared that we are in the middle of a global pandemic. We were forced to stop our everyday lives and focus on one thing: survival. More than a year into it, humanity has learned to adapt to the changes, and along the way, we leaned on technology to effectively battle this unseen enemy and continue with our lives.
Work From Home
There has been a radical shift in the employment industry because of the pandemic. Many companies who managed to stay open transitioned traditional office work to internet-based operations at home. Though many workers are now slowly deployed on-site, a majority of employees are still working from home.
White-collar workers are now setting up home offices to continue with their jobs. Aside from convenience, this step is also an important protective measure against the further spread of the CORONA Virus.
In one survey, employers in the United States see the remote work set up as a semi-permanent practice even post-pandemic. Scandinavian employers also predicted that the WFH setup would double in number soon. Because of the many emerging digital applications and platforms, WFH is now being dubbed as the ‘new normal in the corporate world.
Modern Marketing
Before businesses advertise their products via traditional media, this method has greatly changed because of the ongoing pandemic. Since most people are staying at home and spending their time on their gadgets surfing the internet, many businesses are now utilizing digital marketing to reach their potential clients.
The technology we have nowadays greatly helps businesses reach a wider range of audiences and maintain a real-time connection with customers via online-based interaction.
Some of the largest online platforms used today in digital marketing are Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok, and Twitter. Another tool used in modern marketing today is search engine optimization or SEO. In hindsight, SEO increases the website’s visibility for relevant search engines such as Google Chrome, Bing, and Mozzila Firefox.
Education
Education is also one of the biggest aspects of life that were impacted by the spread of the virus. Both public and private schools worldwide shut down their buildings and fully transitioned to online schools to help keep the students, their families, and the faculty safe.
Though several countries last year lifted their lockdown, such as India, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) still recommended that most schools across the world consider continuing distant learning and remote education.
The COVID 19 also ushered in a new era in higher education. Conferences, online lectures, digital books, and examinations are now being conducted virtually. The good thing about this type of remote learning is that most children and students nowadays have access to electronic gadgets like computers and laptops.
Others prefer tablets or mobile phones because they easier to maintain, and in case there’s an issue, it is not hard to find mobile screen and operating system repair services. Some schools realized that there is a possibility that some students don’t have access to mobile phones or computers. They are working in partnership with television networks to make education more accessible.
Healthcare Sector
The healthcare sector is one of the front-line industries that is continuing to benefit from the many technological innovations today brought upon by the need to fight the pandemic. Many private companies and universities across the United States have shifted their resources to fund research to tackle COVID 19 related issues.
One particular invention is the 3D-printed face shields. This latest innovation from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is reusable and significantly more durable than the public’s typical masks. It is also compatible with most hospital-grade disinfectants. The National Institute of Health is now making this device more accessible to any institution that has access to a compatible 3D printer.
Another technological breakthrough from UCLA is a tabletop and portable gadget that can kill viruses and bacteria in medical equipment, personal protective equipment, and surgical N95 masks. This device operates by using low temperatures to maintain the integrity of the medical equipment. It is also fully capable of killing bacteria in just 90 seconds.
The COVID 19 forced the world to usher in never-before-seen innovations for us to continue surviving. Some of the greatest minds in the field of business, economics, education, and science are working together to make sure that we can continue living despite the imminent threat of a global health crisis.