Covid-19: The positive side of the coronavirus pandemic
JOBURG – Apps are bringing people together in new ways and giving people the chance to reconnect during these difficult times.
With the number of infected people standing at 1 655, it has become increasingly difficult for South Africans to see the positive side of Covid-19.
Even on social media networks, the funny memes and gifs have become more serious expressing fear about the virus.
Anna Collard, CEO of Popcorn Training, a subsidiary of KnowBe4 said, “Whatever you focus the most on, that’s what you will get more of. Even before coronavirus, there was enough bad news online and on social media to make most people want to sit in a dark room. At this time, when the entire world is shifting on its axis, it has never been more important to focus on the positive and the ways in which this change can benefit us.”
Collard added that digital working from home has been thrust upon employees, but what stands out in the midst of all the bad news is how most companies could do just that – send their employees home. “From e-learning to working from home to building new businesses that will shine in the post-Covid-19 era, society is rapidly advancing to becoming completely digital in an incredibly short period of time.
“Apps are bringing people together in new ways and giving people the chance to reconnect when times are tough. These same apps are being used in virtual conferencing and meetings so that teams can connect and businesses can keep moving into an uncertain future.”
Coronavirus has brought immense value in information to millions of people who are now more aware of hand hygiene and health. This has meant that these people know more about washing their hands, distancing themselves from ill people and minimising the spread of disease than ever before. This will not only help in slowing the spread of coronavirus but the spread of other diseases today and in the future.
Organisations are also more aware of security than ever before because their employees are working from home and opening up new avenues of risk. “This is the perfect time to secure Wi-Fi routers, train people to learn more about phishing and scams and to protect people from fraud. Companies are investing more in security controls and training to help protect both their assets and their employees.”
Collard reminds people that this lockdown could inspire people to come up with new ideas and new businesses, give entrepreneurs the time they need to reshape their ideas and result in an unexpected disruption in unexpected spaces across the world.
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