BEYOND THE PANDEMIC

While there’s been plenty of attention to curtailing the spread of COVID-19 and the economic revival, these times also shed light on other areas that warrant attention – including the gamut of human activity from households to the corporate sphere

ENVIRONMENT Satellite images during lockdowns show substantially lower air pollution levels as vehicle movement was much lower around the world and hundreds of factories temporarily ceased operations.

Air pollution could be a greater challenge in the longer term than COVID-19 itself with the experience demonstrating that it’s possible to move towards a cleaner ecosystem. Greater emphasis on clean energy sources, more efficient utilisation of produced energy and energy conservation can improve the ecosystem, as well as save more lives.

HYGIENE The pandemic also highlights the importance of hygiene, both at individual and community levels. Advocacy shows how an elevator button can have hundreds of contact points and displays how effortlessly an infection can spread through contact with surfaces. It also indicates how easily a virus can be transmitted if adequate personal hygiene isn’t practised.

On a broader scale, it is evident that collective efforts are required since one group can’t have the necessary impact if others don’t adhere to the same guidelines. Good hygiene is easy to achieve with basic practical steps being followed every day. By doing so consistently and widely, it’s possible to minimise the spread of infections.

FITNESS As more people realise the need to boost immunity, physical fitness emerges as a greater priority. Folks start changing their routines to include time for outdoor or indoor exercises. The emphasis on survival also makes for changing diets, ensuring adequate vitamin intake and other health aspects that were either ignored or less emphasised previously.

A greater focus on such areas helps create a stronger and more resilient population whose immune systems will respond better to infections in the future.

FAMILIES Many households across the world see parents struggling to balance their time between family and work priorities. Household confinement, as well as remote working and schooling in recent months, have brought many families closer together. Those who were overseas and separated from their loved ones spend more time now, interacting with their parents and children on video and audio calls than ever before.

While social interactions declined, family interactions increased and many found that family offered the strongest support – especially in times of hardship.

As we gradually return to a regular work routine, it’s likely that parents will make more time for their children – and kids will appreciate their parents more. It would seem that the pandemic, which is a global calamity in so many ways, is also helping mend deteriorating family ties.

EQUALITY Those infected with COVID-19 include people from diverse backgrounds. At the same time, those across varied roles are struggling to cope with lost employment and sustenance due to the economic impact of the pandemic.

Even some of the wealthiest businesspeople could do little as their organisations crumbled.  Overcoming such dire situations calls for a unified effort with everyone doing their bit to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and rebuild economies that are in turmoil.


The recent past has shown the importance of equality and the fact that we are all in this together. It’s likely that social inequalities will reduce as a result of this experience, and we will all have greater respect and appreciation for one another.

MATERIALITY With countries going into lockdown and many businesses establishing remote working arrangements, there are significant shifts in priorities. Work attire lies idle in cupboards, luxury vehicles remain in garages and houses with premises to entertain are hardly being used.

In some cities, modern office complexes are still inaccessible while high end restaurants and clubs remain closed. As a result, many people have begun changing their spending patterns and moving towards necessities – and supporting those in greater need.

It’s likely that this experience will motivate people to adjust their lifestyle priorities in the future.

ACCESSIBILITY COVID-19 has paved the way for easier access to a broad range of areas. Several leading universities are offering online courses free of charge to the masses. Business leaders who were rarely available are now spending more time interacting with clients, peers and team members.

Time, which would otherwise have been spent on flights, commutes and attending social functions, has become instantly available. Approvals and decisions that used to take days, take only a few minutes as remote working is paving the way for speedier responses. Closer attention will be given to scheduling and availability going forward.

These are some thematic areas that need to be pondered since they offer useful considerations for business leaders as they realign their organisations and lives to the ‘new normal.’

BY Rehan Fernando