Tag: pandemic

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Industry Talk

What is the Delta Variant?

Variant of concern

The constant mutations in the Covid 19 virus have become the evident reality as several mutated viruses of Covid 19 are developing and spreading fastly across the world. The recent one in the list of the viruses is the more transmissible Delta variant of the Sars Covid 19.  Also known as lineage B.1.617.2, is a variant of lineage B.1.617 of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

What are mutations?

Simply put, the change in the arrangement of the genome of an organism is a mutation. Most of the viruses tend to change when it multiplies. During the process of replication, the virus fails to produce exact copies or replicas of itself. This results in the emergence of new strains or variants.

Delta variant as Variant of concern

WHO has identified three different variants of SARS Covid 19 virus, an RNA virus, which are alpha, beta along with delta variant. The world health organization has also categorized it as a “variant of concern”.

The classification of a variant as a “variant of concern”, according to WHO, depends on the increase in transmissibility and the nature of the variant, and the degree of its resistance to the vaccines being produced keeping in mind the original virus.

Will vaccines work against the delta variant?

According to Public Health England, different analyses have supported the reduced efficiency of vaccines against the Delta variant compared to other variants. Several studies across the world including in India show that the effectiveness of the vaccine against delta variant after 2 doses is higher than after one dose. But the overall efficacy certainly is lower concerning other variants.

What should be done to protect ourselves against delta variants?

The most important aspect against delta variant and Covid 19 as a whole is to diligently follow covid safety protocols and behavioral changes about the virus. Another significant step is getting vaccinated without a second thought as several health experts have already said that the severity of delta variant against the fully vaccinated person is low compared with a non-vaccinated person.

 

You can search for vaccine slot availability on the ‘Vaccine Slot Finder’ on the OneDios app. It allows you to have a streamlined and uncomplicated experience while searching for your vaccine slot. You have to simply enter your Pincode to get the relevant information about slot availability. OneDios COVID 19 Vaccine Slot Finder empowers you to efficiently check available vaccine slots in your area by making the process easygoing, painless, and reliable.

You can also track vaccine-related statistics on the “Vaccination Dashboard” available on the OneDios app. The data for the dashboard is sourced from official Co-Win Statistics. Through this dashboard, you can stay informed about the number of sites conducting vaccination and total vaccination doses in real-time. Relevant data and trends are presented in user-friendly graphs, categories, and visual formats for greater access. You can also check updated data by selecting your state or district to know about specific statistics

 

 
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Industry Talk

How to manage ‘Pandemic Fatigue’?

COVID-19 Pandemic has not only taken a toll on the lives of people, but it has also manifested itself adversely into our mental space. It has become difficult for people to cope up with the perpetual news cycle of losses, tragedy, and trauma. ‘Pandemic Fatigue’ refers to the feeling of demotivation and exhaustion that people are experiencing in their daily lives. It is due to intermittent stay-at-home orders, uncertainty, fear of job losses, and falling incomes. One of the detrimental consequences is a decline in people following appropriate behavior and measures to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Prolonged hardships and sudden disruptions in social engagements have caused a rising number of people to experience this silent agony.

According to an online survey conducted under the aegis of the Indian Psychiatry Society, two-fifths of the respondents were suffering from mental distress like anxiety or depression. WHO has pointed out that Pandemic Fatigue is “natural and expected reaction to sustained and unresolved adversity in people’s lives”

Pandemic Fatigue

COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented challenge to humanity. Pandemic Fatigue is a natural reaction to it. Hence. If you are also facing similar mental strain and difficulty coping, you are not alone.

What are the symptoms?

  • A feeling of fear, anger, irritability, and frustration
  • Changes in appetite
  • Reduced interest and motivation
  • Difficulty to sleep
  • Drowsiness and lethargy

 

Measures to manage Pandemic Fatigue

Psychologists have suggested a few measures to manage the stress of ‘Pandemic Fatigue’:

 

  1. Reflect and Accept

It is important to acknowledge that a COVID-19 Pandemic is an unparalleled event in the history of mankind. The helplessness that you might be feeling is natural. Take time and try to care of your mental well-being. Awareness of the problem is a fundamental keystone of the mental health toolkit. “We can’t change what we’re not aware of. It all starts here”, says Dr. Ross, a Psychologist.

 

  1. Filter your News Feed

It is critical to stay updated with current happenings, especially during the times of the COVID-19 Pandemic. But this might drive up your stress levels and negative emotions. Anxiety may build up from constant social media scrolling and “information overload”. Experts have suggested limiting the screen time and relying only on authenticated news. You may consider staying off social media or scheduling limited time for it until you feel better.

 

  1. Take up new Hobbies

Monotonous routines and the inability to meet family or friends might drain your mental energy and cause loneliness. Lockdowns have pushed people inside their homes with only a few options to replenish their energy. Cultivating a new hobby like cooking, gardening, or learning a new musical instrument can help in managing stress. It will keep you engaged and motivated to learn. You can look for more hobbies or habits that can help you relax your nerves and have some mental peace during these times.

 

  1. Keep a Journal

Writing down your feelings can be an effective way to release and express. It will help you analyze a situation and your response to it better. Dr. Radhika Bapat, a clinical psychotherapist has suggested making two columns and writing down things that you can control and things that are not under your control separately. Under your control, things include masking, self-care, getting enough sleep, and taking precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19 infection. What you can’t control is the future so try to worry less and focus on what you can do in the present, she says.

 

  1. Develop a consistent routine.

You need to deliberately craft a consistent routine and stick to it to relax the mind. Pandemic Fatigue has negatively impacted the sleep cycle of most people. Adequate and timely sleep is crucial for your mental health well-being. Developing a consistent routine and remaining active will keep you busy and motivated. Taking a long walk or a run in the morning can also help clear up your mind. 

Please contact a Psychologist or call the government helpline numbers, if your symptoms don’t improve and reach out for help.

 

 

 
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Industry Talk

What is Mucormycosis or Black Fungus?

As the world still struggles to recover from life-threatening COVID-19 disease, the medical community has red-flagged another deadly infection called Mucormycosis or Black fungus. There are reports of recovering COVID-19 patients contracting Black fungus infection. Fungi is a pathogen that you might have observed in rotting fruits or food. Fungi constitute an important part of biodiversity on earth. Some fungal species even aid plants to absorb nutrients from the soil. One of the most path-breaking discoveries in the history of mankind is Penicillin, an antibiotic that is also obtained from fungus only. Fungi is present everywhere in our environment. But, a few types of fungi can severely infect human beings. The rising number of Black fungus infection cases throughout India is concerning. Let’s first learn a few basics about this infection.

 

 

What is Black Fungus Infection?

Black Fungus infection is neither a new disease nor contagious, it is an aggressive infection caused by a group of fungi called ‘mucormycetes’. The CDC has recognized this infection as a rare but deadly disease. It can adversely impact many organs in the human body. In the recent cases of the infection, it is distinctly causing infection in the ear, mouth, nose, and even brain. According to reports, it can cause blindness and jaw damage, which turns black due to the Black Fungus. It can also be very harmful and even fatal if left untreated.

What are the symptoms?

Many doctors and experts have listed out a few symptoms to watch out for the Black Fungus infection. They include blood discharge from the nose, stuffy nose, blackish discharge from the nose, swelling or pain in jaws, eyelid drooping, and eyes turning reddish. Antifungal drugs are the best line of treatment for this infection.

What causes the Black fungus infection?

Co-morbidity of Diabetes or underlying immunodeficiency is called the most common cause of Black fungus infection. According to an estimate, underlying diabetes was reported in 54% to 76% of the cases. The most immediate trigger is the overuse of steroids as a treatment for COVID-19. Indiscriminate use of steroidal medicines in COVID-19 patients having diabetes can cause their sugar levels to rise. Dr. V. Mohan, senior diabetologist, has called steroids a “double-edged sword” that needs to be administered judiciously. When the sugar levels of a diabetic COVID-19 patient suddenly spike, it makes them vulnerable to this infection. The Indian Council for Medical Research has issued an advisory listing the following conditions in COVID-19 patients as more susceptible to Black Fungus infection:

  • Unmanaged Diabetes Mellitus
  • Compromised immune system due to overdose of steroids
  • Elongated ICU or hospital stay
  • Post organ transplant or cancer
  • Voriconazole therapy (rigorous treatment for severe fungal infection)

How to prevent Black Fungus? 

Listen to the Experts!  

Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said that “Awareness and early diagnosis can help curb the spread of fungal infection.”

AIIMS director Dr. Guleria noted that black fungus infection cases are rising due to overuse of steroids. He also urged the doctors and patients to follow protocols of infection control practices. He has listed down following precautions to avoid the infection:

  1. Manage sugar levels for diabetic patients.
  2. Use masks consistently, especially when visiting a construction site.
  3. Avoid misuse of high-dose steroids.
  4. Practice personal hygiene.
  5. Early detection and prompt treatment.

As the great saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”, lookout for early signs and take precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19. If you experience any COVID-19 related symptoms, get tested as soon as possible.  

Book your COVID Antigen test at Onedios.

 
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Industry Talk

How did UK manage its COVID-19 crisis?

COVID-19 has ravaged throughout the world like a wildfire, delegating us to an uncomfortable standstill. Governments around the globe have framed their COVID-19 response policies as per their specific national requirements and limitations. Since the novel Coronavirus is a new virus, policymakers had to face impediments in fighting this invisible enemy. The challenge of the once-in-a-century event faced by the United Kingdom has been no exception. But, in the retrospect, UK’s handling of coronavirus appears to have fared well, when compared to other countries and the EU. In a recent survey by Ipsos MORI, 67% or two-thirds of respondents believed that UK’s handling COVID-19 crisis was better than other EU countries.

Death rates in the UK have plummeted to single-digit numbers and daily positive cases have also shown a persistent downward trend. Despite the earlier spread of virulent UK variant B.1.1.7, the country is set to ease lockdown restrictions under a four-step plan. Britons will now be able to meet indoors and enjoy the services of pubs, restaurants, and cafes once again. The UK model shows the light of hope and positivity during grim circumstances that other countries are still facing.

Let’s have a look at few key measures that UK took to battle its COVID-19 crisis:

Operation Last Gasp

Operation Last Gasp was a war-style effort to mobilise manufacturing companies to produce more ventilators. The national effort was rolled out last year to tackle the immediate increasing demand for the health system. As the COVID-19 virus affects the lungs, a need was felt to deploy more ventilators. This initiative was meant to ramp up preparations to protect vulnerable individuals, who might need intensive care.

Oxford Vaccine development

According to an estimate, $96.7m of funding for research and development of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine came from the UK government and the rest of the funding was from charitable trusts, private donations, and other governments. The development of ChAdox vaccine technology was supported by cooperative efforts of government and accomplished researchers at Oxford. This vaccine was developed in a record short time of just eleven months. However, research towards this breakthrough took years of consistent time and effort by scientists and epidemiologists.

Vaccine policy

The government of the UK realised early on the paramount importance of Vaccination to protect the citizens and get the economy back on track. British authorities ordered millions of doses of vaccine vials from multiple companies. They employed a graded approach in the vaccine policy. The more vulnerable and high-risk population was vaccinated first, taking into account the heavy death toll experienced during the first wave. The success of the bold Vaccine policy is the reason the UK is now able to recover from long and intermittent lockdown restrictions.

Track and Trace

Over the time, UK was able to scale the track and trace system. Contact tracing was an efficient way to track infected people and their close contacts during the initial months of the Pandemic. It is utilised to prolong the spread of COVID-19 infection, in order to provide the health system a breathing space and ramp up the infrastructure accordingly. The UK also used the NHS contact tracing app to trace the suspected infected individuals and isolate them.

Policymaking

The UK government ran an awareness campaign with the slogan “Stay alert, control the virus, save lives”. This raised awareness among the public to not let their guards down and influence behavioral aspects to break the chain of the COVID-19 virus. The concept of ‘support bubbles’ was also carried out to help people who had been isolated due to the lockdowns. A ‘support bubble’ consists of two households that are allowed to interact and ease out Pandemic fatigue through these engagements.

Transparency and accountability

The Prime Minister of the UK, Boris Johnson, has announced a public inquiry to investigate the government’s COVID-19 response and mitigation. The Commission will launch the inquiry next year during the spring. Such transparent steps by a government raise public confidence and allow holding the authorities accountable for their actions. During the handling of the COVID-19 crisis, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also made a public statement saying “sorry for every life lost” and took “full responsibility”. A government in-action that keeps the public informed is essential in combating an immense crisis, as posed by the COVID-19 pandemic

 

The optimism in the UK exhibits an assurance that the world can soon emerge out of the pandemic and learn to manage it better. Efforts in India to grapple with the second wave have also accelerated. The vaccination strategy has been modified to allow the 18-45 years age group to get vaccinated. Multiple Vaccine manufacturers are being approved to increase the manufacturing capacity. One of the vaccine manufacturers, Bharat Biotech, has also agreed to share vaccine formula to ramp up the production as soon as possible. It is the responsibility of individual citizens to remain cautious with best behavioral practices and get vaccinated as soon as a slot is available.

Onedios COVID-19 Vaccine Slot Finder helps you navigate through the vaccine slot availability in your area so that you can book your appointment without delay. Another feature of Vaccination Dashboard on the Onedios app enables you to stay informed of current trends and statistics about reliable data in a user-friendly format. It informs you about the data regarding the number of sites conducting vaccination, total registrations, and total vaccination doses in real-time.

 
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Industry Talk

COVID 19 Mutations and Variants.

The novel Coronavirus has caused havoc throughout the world and impacted every phase of life, disrupting normal day-to-day activities. Covid-19, caused by SARS- Cov-1, is one of the large family of viruses distinctly recognized for having crown-like spikes on its outer layer, which it uses to attach itself with human receptor cells, causing the disease. According to WHO, these viruses can mutate several times in their natural lifecycles resulting in new variants. These variants can be more virulent and even more fatal in most cases. In other cases, the impact of mutations on human health might eventually die down and become harmless to human beings, as the Darwin theory stipulates.

 

 

There are currently multiple virus mutations in circulation, of which two are of particular concern to the medical community. These are primarily the variants that have caused the second wave of infections in several countries, resulting in a massive spike in positivity rates.

 

What is a mutation?

A mutation refers to a change that occurs in our DNA sequence. This may cause a change in its behavior and effectiveness. In current variants, one mutation, in particular, has improved the capability of the virus to bind with proteins in human cells called receptors. This binding affinity seen in current mutants is 40-80% more transmissible during the second wave. The new ‘double mutant’ has been identified in 80-82% of samples collected from India, which is causing immune-escape in the body of an infected individual and chances of increased transmissibility, but it has been said to be less deadly according to studies. It has proven to be at least 15% more virulent in preliminary studies.

 

What are the mutations circulating in India?

WHO has recently classified COVID mutation in India as a “variant of concern”. Indian mutation of COVID 19 has been named B.1.617, which is highly contagious. Epidemiologists suggest that this variant famously called “double mutant” is a result of thirteen mutations. Out of all thirteen mutations, two are of particular concern, hence called a ‘double mutant’. These mutations have caused modifications in the spike protein on the Coronavirus. Mutations are natural in any virus and there can be multiple numbers of them floating in the population. India has detected 24,000 mutations in 7000 variants of the COVID 19 virus. But only a few are the cause of concern.

In some samples in India, a UK-type variant of the COVID 19 virus is detected. B.1.1.7 is it’s name. It has accumulated 23 mutations across 5 genes. 

Experts have also suggested that these mutations might even escape the RT-PCR tests. But such incidences are very rare. 

 

Is the new mutant a cause of worry?

Mutations of the virus in new variants can potentially evade the neutralizing effect of natural bodily immune-response. It means that even if you have recovered from a previous variant, you can still get reinfected with it. However, ICMR notifications say that infected people who have already recovered from a primary infection would be very mild. It points towards the fact that vaccines would shield you from the possibility of severe infection in the future. The good news is that COVAXIN has been confirmed to be effective against this mutant, one of the two vaccines currently available in India, It is the only silver lining of hope people can rely on in current scenarios.

 

How does a vaccine impact virus mutation?

As the virus changes its nature, it is necessary to consider whether already developed vaccines are going to be effective against them or not. Research is going on to understand the modification of their genetic material and how it might affect vaccine development. But, a general medical view holds that even if the vaccine becomes less effective towards any new mutant, there is a possibility to make changes in the vaccine’s component raw material to improve antibody response and vaccine efficacy.

There is no need to worry about the effectiveness of a vaccine as a vaccine can be altered as per the need.  it is necessary to get vaccinated as soon as you can. Vaccination is the last line of defense to protect oneself against infection by the Experts.

 
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Industry Talk

CORONAVIRUS: HOW DOES IT AFFECT OUR BODY?

All around the world, there have been a lot of efforts made to stand up against the novel Coronavirus. The pandemic, which took the world by the storm had put all from patients to healthcare workers in a fix. Yet, gradually, we learned a lot about the coronavirus and how it affects our bodies.

 

During this hard time, one of the first things we all learned was how Covid-19 can affect our Respiratory system. The effect which the virus has on our lungs can be fateful, especially to the people previously experiencing co-morbidities.

How does Covid-19 reach the lungs?

Covid-19 is a lethal disease that is majorly affecting the respiratory system and lungs are a major part of it. Numerous people believed that the novel coronavirus entered the circulatory system and hence affected the lungs. But over time, the real way to the lungs was found. When a person comes in contact with a Covid-19 patient. And afterward touches their face, the virus can enter the body through the nose, mouth, or eyes. It does as such by sticking to the mucous membranes. On entering the body, they increase on a large scale and take over healthy cells.

These recently formed cells then enter the trachea, which is also called the windpipe of the body. As an organ, the trachea is like a hollow tube with a branch-like junction at its end. These junctions are connected to the lungs. The virus cells go down the windpipe and arrive at the junction, and then, the lungs. The junctions towards the end of the trachea have small air sacs. These sacs, known as alveoli are liable for sending oxygen to the rest of the body. The covid cells contaminate the upper and lower part of the trachea and thus, cause problems in sending oxygen to crucial organs, which is what makes it such a deadly affliction.

What to Do When COVID-19 Spreads To The Lungs?

It’s in the second week of being infected with coronavirus, that the infection might spread to your lungs. The extreme complications of the virus seem to appear when the infection spreads to your lungs. It is at this time when the patient’s condition may start deteriorating and may begin to experience symptoms like severe cough and other symptoms like pneumonia.

  • Signs that show coronavirus may have spread to the lungs

Coronavirus is basically a respiratory disease that causes symptoms like breathing trouble, cough, and fever. As referenced above, It’s somewhere around the second week of being infected with COVID-19, that the infection may spread to the patient’s lungs.

If someone has a consistent fever, above 100 for 2-4 days, and if they have inflammatory markers in their blood, most importantly high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (above 10), and dipping oxygen saturation (less than 94), these are signs that may flag that virus has spread to the lungs,”

  • Symptoms to watch out for

Patients that have tested positive for the virus will have mild to strong symptoms like dry cough,  loss of sense of taste breathlessness, fever, and smell, tiredness, and chest pain.

If the infection has spread to the lungs, the symptoms may be persistent cough and fever, chest discomfort, low oxygen saturation breathlessness on exertion, and blood inflammatory markers. It usually happens after five-six days of the virus.

  • Important to be in touch with the doctor

A person who has already tested positive for COVID-19 is most likely to already be in constant touch with the doctor. But Once you have an infection in the lungs, the doctor will prescribe if you need a CT scan, or if need to be prescribed some steroids, or if you need to get admitted to the hospital for appropriate treatment. So it’s highly required to be in constant touch with your doctor.

Taking care over time

For patients who have been affected by a coronavirus, there needs to be a good amount of care taken. Currently, many medical studies point to the fact that the lungs are mostly affected due to the novel coronavirus. As such may cause fatigue and a lack of immunity even after the virus has gone. In such cases, a recovery regimen set by your doctor needs to be followed thoroughly. And along with that, precautionary measures should also be followed so as to not be re-infected by the disease.

If you have experienced symptoms of Coronavirus, reach out to your doctor immediately or get an RT-PCR test done from Pathkind labs. Given the case that you have already been a coronavirus survivor, it is essential that you get an Antigen test done to see how strong your antibodies are to fight the occurrence of other diseases in the coming future.

 

 
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Industry Talk

Covid Vaccine : Effectiveness and Efficiency

You might be among the more than 138 million people in India who have taken at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Or you may still be waiting for your turn. Regardless, there’s a question on most of our minds: How long will the vaccine really protect us? 

 

 

According to the report of Times of India, “Is vaccine really safe?” is second on the list of Top Ten Most Searched Questions on Google.

As with most aspects of the virus, the appropriate answer is not clear. Why? Because despite the fact that we have been battling the pandemic for over a year now. The vaccines were granted emergency use authorization relatively recently. So specialists have not had time to observe their long-term effectiveness till now.

According to some experts, When you get the vaccine, it takes some time for your body to build an immune response that’ll keep you protected and safe. Because of all these factors, Doctors are asking people not to let their guard down even after getting vaccinated.

In other words, it’ll take time for the vaccine to kick in, and we should still plan to play it safe after getting Vaccinated.

 

What happens to your body after getting a vaccine dose?

According to WHO, the COVID-19 vaccines produce protection against the virus, as a result of developing an immune response to the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Developing immunity with the help of vaccines means there is less risk of developing the illness and its consequences.

Different types of vaccines work in different ways in providing protection. Yet with all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply of “memory” T-lymphocytes as well as B-lymphocytes that will remember how to battle that virus later on.

It usually takes 1-2 weeks after immunization for the body to create T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. That’s why it’s possible that a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after getting the vaccine dose and then get sick as the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection and immunity.

In some cases after vaccination, the process of building immunity can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are absolutely normal and are signs that your body is building immunity.

Do some Vaccines Require More Than One Shot?

To be fully safe and protected, you will need two shots of some COVID-19 vaccines.

  • Two shots: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines offer two shots.  You are considered fully vaccinated and protected, two weeks after your second shot If you get a COVID-19 vaccine that offers two shots,
  • One-Shot: Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine only offers one shot. If you get a COVID-19 vaccine that offers one shot, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your shot.

 If it has been less than two weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second shot, you are NOT at all fully protected. Keep taking all prevention steps until you are completely vaccinated.

Precautions to be taken after getting vaccine shot.

Even though most of the vaccines that are being used across the country have undergone multiple trials and have been found to be effective in these trial phases. But we still don’t know if these vaccines offer complete immunity or not. We don’t even know how long the vaccines will continue to be effective for us. For now, we can all take heart in the fact that the vaccines will help us fight against the coronavirus.

Here are a few precautions for COVID-19 that all responsible citizens should follow even after vaccination-

  • Continue maintaining social distancing and avoid crowded places like malls, restaurants, and markets, etc.
  • Please don’t forget to wear a mask and sanitize your hands.
  • Encourage and help others as much as you can to register for the vaccination.

Vaccination is one of many steps that you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.  Protection from this virus is critically important as for some people, COVID-19 can cause a serious problem or even death.

Ending this pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so that your body will be ready to battle against the virus if you are exposed.

If you or your loved one are facing any symptoms don’t wait for long just get your tests done at home through OneDios App in a few clicks. Download the OneDios app and relax in the comfort of your home. 

 

 
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OneDios Talks

When the going gets tough, the tough get going

Covid Corona Virus in Real 3D Illustration concept to Describe about Corona Virus anatomy and type.

Covid-19 has put all of us in a state of flux. From an economic perspective, the world has never been more unsure as to how would it turn out today or tomorrow or after a week after or even a year from today. We are now not sure how many interruptions will Covid -19 or similar pandemics bring in the future. Every analysis is reduced to just a speculation.

Large corporations are finding it tough…they are huge ships who have weathered many storms in the past and are using the best resources available in house and outside to gauge what is in store for them.

Medium size businesses are like cruiser ships… Some even more profitable than large ships and they can possibly wear out even better.

The small businesses are where it hurts the most…just like the lower strata of society which has got most exposed during these times.

Just like any other adversity, the best we can do at such time is to learn how to deal with it and adapt to the new normal (if there is one). When the goal post is moving, the adjustment becomes that much more difficult… Just like the increase in level of difficulty for a sniper with a moving target.

Startups have been caught unaware. This is baptism by fire. Some of the survival techniques are

Look Inward & do long pending housekeeping

Now is the time to do all that you could not devote time and energy to when you were going full steam ahead. Establish the processes. Take your time to revisit your business strategy and the impact the current pandemic has on it. Look at releasing that ever delayed travel policy you could not find time to release. Maybe you want your employee hire to retire handbook out now. The time to build a view to look at your business health n a single sheet is now.

Build personal and organization eminence

Now is the time to use social media to your advantage. All work from home professionals now have more time in their hands and you can catch their eyeballs – whether it is prospects or industry influencers or investors or any other community. Showcase your subject matter expertise by creating articles that display your grip on the depth of a topic in your professional pursuits. Build your professional network.

Hunker down on Cash

Cash is the single biggest asset that any organization can preserve right now. Have a deep hard look at your financial commitments and cut down whatever is not mandatory right now. Renegotiate the office lease, scale down the cloud usage if you can, examine un-utilized retainerships, purchase reorders for consumables..everything.