How COVID-19 May Change the Way We Live Forever

How COVID-19 May Change the Way We Live Forever

Arvind David – Vice President, Digital Experience

3-minute read time

Originally Posted By Arvind David on LinkedIn

I am sure that the past few weeks have been a whirlwind for each of us. The truth is that some of us were more prepared for this than others. The world will not be the same when we get to the other side of this pandemic. I do not want to talk about the negatives as there have been a lot of people doing that. However, from an industry perspective, I would like to shed some light on the positive things happening around us.

The pandemic has helped us define what services are essential. It has opened our eyes to what is necessary for our day-to-day lives. I am sure it has caused many of us to view some things in a new light. In our industry, for example, this pandemic is redefining long-standing norms regarding telecommuting and the need to work remotely. A sarcastic social media post, shown below, illustrates how this pandemic is affecting digital transformation and the need for technology.

We can laugh about it, but sometimes the truth is that we need a wake-up call. I am in no way stating that this virus is a good thing. I am trying to keep a positive outlook in times like these, as hope is the best friend we have.

These significant events have caused world leaders and organizations to re-think safety protocols. We have seen this before in recent history.

September 11, 2001 (now known as 9/11) completely changed the airline industry, including how we board planes and access airports. The November 26, 2008, Mumbai attacks changed hotel security forever. Today, the COVID-19 pandemic will redefine the modern workplace, accelerate the need for technology to facilitate healthy and secure public spaces.

I am proud to see world leaders step up to the plate and handle this unprecedented challenge. I’m sure none of them were expecting to deal with a problem of this magnitude when they ran for office or were appointed to their position. I am also proud to see the showcase of human resilience and cooperation that crosses the lines of location, race, religion, etc. that wrongfully separate us. We are all working together, physically separated, towards a good common goal.

I feel that my existence has been more blessed than that of my father or his father before him. They had to fight in actual battles, whereas the only battle I am in is the one against the urge to touch my face or see my friends in person. I don’t want to discount the mental toll that isolation can take on some people. For me, I’d rather be forced to stay inside than have to make split-second decisions as an 18-year old with bullets whizzing by.

I am proud to see so many organizations around the world donate and offer their services to support the fight against COVID-19. Many of our communication partners are offering their services for free to keep the world connected. We are proud to be the enabling solution and technology partner of these organizations.

As a technology company and an innovator in networking, we are fortunate enough to have the backbone needed to support remote workers during this time. We have always focused on providing a solution that makes digital transformation simple, quick, and cost-effective. Why is this important? Because today, organizations need to lean on technology to remain operational. We order food online, take meetings from our homes, consult with doctors over video calls. These are just a few examples of how we are leaning on technology to hold on to some semblance of normal.

However, not every organization has been able to implement these capabilities. Adopting IP and the Internet of Things has been viewed as costly, disruptive, and time-consuming by many companies. However, as I said previously, these monumental events in human history will change how we live and work.

Necessity is the mother of invention.