Published at : 21 Jul 2020
Volume : IJtech
Vol 11, No 3 (2020)
DOI : https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v11i3.4200
Mohammed Ali Berawi | Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Kampus UI Depok, Depok 16424, Indonesia |
The
World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 to be a world health
emergency in early 2020. Many governments quickly responded by strategizing
their policies to support healthcare facilities, economic sectors, and social
safety nets during the pandemic. Those various essential policies and programs must
continue to be executed even after the pandemic or in the ‘new normal’
situation.
Improved testing capacity and
contact tracing is required both when confirmed cases of COVID-19 are detected and
to mitigate new clusters. The governments need to increase the number of health
facilities and implement strict health protocols, such as handwashing, physical
distancing, using face masks, and staying physically and mentally healthy. To
define effective government interventions, it is necessary to gather data on
hazards, vulnerability, and healthcare capacity in responding to COVID-19.
The
pandemic is negatively affecting global economic growth, slowing down business activities, reducing production,
and increasing unemployment and income uncertainty. As the virus continues to spread,
restrictions on mobility are curtailing economic activities, which has created
an economic shock that is prompting a global recession. Less investment, job
losses, and disrupted national and global trade and supply chains have caused
many governments to take necessary actions and to collaborate to enable a
robust global recovery. Global coordination and cooperation are required to
mitigate the spread of the pandemic and its impact on economic and social
stability. At the same time, clear and accurate information is needed to
maintain public social stability; hoaxes and disinformation can cause public
panic and disrupt the process of recovery.
All
countries dealing with the pandemic have been refocusing their government funds
and programs to tackle COVID-19. We are all hoping that a global economic
recovery will start in the third quarter of 2020.
Building Resilience and Adapting to
Change
Attempting to revive the economy, many governments begin transitioning to implement the ‘new normal’ during the pandemic. While transitioning to jumpstart industrial sectors, the new normal requires solidarity and self-awareness among the general public to mitigate the spread of the virus. Social cooperation is essential to building resilient health systems, and society’s discipline in carrying out health protocol for COVID-19 during daily activities is key to suppressing transmission of the virus. Following this protocol creates a culture of a healthier lifestyle.
Governments
are attempting to reopen businesses by supporting various policies, including the
relaxation of taxes, providing bank loans, and increasing financial assistance
and incentives to stimulate economic productivity and growth. Companies
need to strategize their operational activities to survive and form contingency
plans to recover their business by utilizing digital media, sharing cost burden
and business operation if necessary.
While there is no
vaccine, product and service transactions remain slightly different from
before. Businesses should expand their product or services offerings by virtual
options and manage remote work using digital platforms. In the new normal,
a need for best practices for a cashless society, managing public spaces for social
distancing, and protecting population health, such as health testing and
digital contact tracing, may become increasingly vital. The use of technology
and automation will play a significant role in increasing productivity.
Responses to COVID-19 have also prompted a strong drive to reduce inequal access to and the quality of public education and health facilities supported by government policies to increase the country’s resilience. Furthermore, this drive will prompt stronger support for small and medium enterprises through business incubators and start-up companies to ensure urban economic resilience.
What we will see in the future is a development model with an emphasis on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.