How the Covid 19
Outbreak Can Usher in the Digital Age
The
Coronavirus Outbreak or the Covid 19 as it is also known as is disrupting
nations in a manner that is unprecedented and never seen before.
In
addition to shutting down economies and forcing people to stay at home, it is
also leading to newer work arrangements as well as different forms of living as
people try to adopt and adapt to the changed circumstances.
For
one, it is leading to a surge in WFH or Work from Home Arrangements
wherein corporates and public sector firms encourage their employees to work
from home as they are banned from stepping outside. In future, this can lead to
greater Digitalisation of our workplaces as WFH becomes permanent and a feature
of our working lives.
Indeed,
if not anything else, the Coronavirus outbreak can be thought to the harbinger
of a totally Digital Society.
Talking
about Digitalisation, there are other aspects that are changing as well
including more reliance on Digital Payments and less on cash and physical
transactions. Thus, the Covid 19 would usher in the Digital Age in a pioneering
and game changing manner.
The Covid 19
Outbreak Can Lead to More Inequalities and Inequities
Having
said that, WFH arrangements demand a basic backbone or infrastructure if they
are to be meaningful and this is where governments worldwide have to step in
and help corporates actualise a hassle free WFH.
For
instance, this means that internet connections have to be stable and reliable
as well as power supply and the other supporting forms of infrastructure.
Indeed,
while all these aspects are taken for granted in the West, in countries such as
India, there is much work to be done by the service providers and the
government.
If
such support is not provided, we can very well see an increase in the gaps
between the haves and the have-nots as those with the means to afford
digitalisation would surge ahead and those without the necessary support
systems in place would lag behind.
This
is where the focus of the governments ought to be as they have to rise to the
occasion and ensure that all, if not a majority of their citizens are supported
to WFH as well as to adopt Digitalisation.
Indeed,
while Demonetisation gave a fillip to such arrangements, the Covid 19 would
severely test the capacities and the capabilities of our societies to forge
newer forms of working and living.
The Breakdown of
the Social Order and the Fraying of the Social Fabric can be avoided
Continuing
the point made above, the Covid 19 outbreak can either lead to a newer form of
societal coexistence or can lead to a breakdown in social order as well as a
rupturing of the social contract.
Already
there are enough indications that the social order is breaking down in many
countries that do not have the means to support their citizens in such testing
times.
On
the other hand, this can be used as an opportunity to make lasting changes in
the way we relate to each other and live as communal citizens.
In
other words, the Covid 19 would force us to choose our priorities and put our
money where our mouths are.
As
the Chinese term for Crisis is a combination of Danger and Opportunity, it is
hoped that societies worldwide would manage the former and embrace the latter
to actualise meaningful change.
However,
the evidence so far indicates that we are failing in rising to the occasion and
instead of our Better Angels of our Nature coming to the fore, we are letting
our Bases Selves take over.
Considering
that we are in this for the long haul, it remains to be seen as to how long we
can hold the social fabric that is already frayed from tearing completely.
The Impact of the
Covid 19 Outbreak on the Future Generations
Moreover,
the effect of Covid 19 on the future generations is also important to consider.
While
Homeschooling is cool for those who can afford it and for those with the
necessary support systems, think of those who do not even have an internet
connection at home and ponder how their kids are going to make up for the lost
time.
Indeed,
it is worrying that apart from the inequalities that were discussed earlier;
this is another manifestation how nations can fail the future generations if
urgent steps are not taken.
As
has been mentioned repeatedly throughout this article, this is the moment that
determines whether we can hold together and this is not the time for letting
loose the forces of destruction.
Further,
there is a distinct possibility that Trust between stakeholders would become
the casualty of the Covid 19 outbreak as everyone looks out for themselves and
engage in a Race to the Bottom that would lead to a further deterioration of
our societies.
Moreover,
the Covid 19 outbreak can also lead to a Brutal competition for Resources that
if not managed well can lead to civil unrest.
Conclusion
Last,
an encouraging sign can be seen in the way people are forming micro communities
online to help each other where the state is absent and it is hoped that this
would continue to be the norm in the future as well.
These
are early days yet and hence, the momentum should be kept going and sustained
so that humanity emerges from this crisis stronger and more robust.
To
conclude, the Coronavirus outbreaks ranks as one of the Biggest Challenges
that Humanity has faced and it remains to seen as to how it would play out in
terms of how we work and live.
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