The Psychological and Physical Implications of Covid-19 in Healthcare Organizations
In this time of uncertainty as well as sustained concerns as well as fears around Covid-19, there has been an extensive impact on the workplace - both physically as well as psychological. In this article, I address the Covid-19 background as well as data in the region of the country I live in. I will also cover workplace changes, emotional transitions, re-opening anxiety as well as ongoing employee stress.
Covid-19 Background
Covid-19, at present date (6/4/2020) has infected 6,563,099 people around the globe along with killed 387,568. In the United States, there are 1,859,135 confirmed infections along with 107,450 deaths. The fatality rate continues to be criticized while the illness is easily transmitted along with acuity is extraordinarily high. In many cases patients are admitted for more than a week to treat a flu-related illness. As a country kid I lived near a very small town of roughly 500 people. While a low fatality rate is criticized, over 100,000 deaths equates to many small towns along with communities.
Covid-19 enters along with influences social, psychological, community along with workplace settings in four key ways. First is the physical implication. Individuals become infected socially without knowing or they become infected from exposure to a known positively tested individual. The second way Covid-19 impacts our world is through overwhelming healthcare systems. Think of the explosion along with propped up temporary hospitals in Italy that occurred, along with in New York as well. The number of healthcare workers does not automatically go up to treat a virus; patients begin to significantly outweigh safe care practices by number of patients per nurse. As a result, facilities become over-extended along with thus increased internal facility virus spread along with community health hazards.
Third, Covid-19 implications are a result of media 'over' coverage. While awareness is a great thing, over coverage invokes human fear behavior changes that, in this situation, cause people to not go to the hospital for serious life-threatening conditions. Individuals with cardio health conditions that need to go to check-ups suddenly stop going. Those who would go to the ER and also urgent care facilities suddenly take the risk in order to avoid Covid-19. Even further, individuals with mental health problems, drug addiction and also rehabilitation needs also put off seeking care. Fourth, Covid-19 impacts influence public policy by causing non-essential business and also services to come to a halt. This has significantly impacted economic conditions, unemployment and also social behaviors in how individuals now are forced, and also choose, to respond in different ways.
Data, Re-Opening along with Anxiety
In the state of Wisconsin, where I currently reside, the state Supreme Court overturned the state governors stay at home order on May 13, 2020 as well as allowed businesses to start opening while emphasizing social distancing. At present, roughly 22 days later the state spiked record numbers four times with only three points of brief decline in total cases per day confirmed. What was not getting better suddenly got much worse. However, social settings in the community, such as bars as well as restaurants, continue to increase in volumes as well as social distancing is not being practiced while facemasks remain to be used by about half of individuals. In the same window of time, total deaths per day spiked six times with three short lulls in the data.
While the community has mixed emotions on re-opening the economy as well as communities, there remains a significant amount of anxiety in healthcare. Generally speaking, healthcare facilities are always 'on guard' to protect employees, visitors as well as patients. We look to healthcare for safety, advice as well as personal as well as social health. Yet in these times, when you walk into a hospital you'll notice several things. First of which is empty parking lots; few are seeking care. Next, when you walk in to the front door you immediately come to a table with a large plexiglass barrier as well as an employee on the other side asking you about symptoms. Then, as you come to see, you as well as everyone else in the building is required to wear a mask at all times. You'll also see social distancing markers on the floor in public spaces with waiting rooms with a fraction of the sitting capacity as compared to pre-Covid-19. Finally, you'll notice the hospital is nearly empty with no visitors in the buildings; patients as well as clinical staff are the only people in the building. This is a significant difference than what is occurring in the community. It's as though one exists in preparation for a war zone that the community seems to have forgotten while there is little decrease occurring in positive patients. This is particularly the case in Wisconsin where the total confirmed is rising day by day.
Physical Changes
In addition to the physical changes in the workplace mentioned above, there are other changes that have occurred. In hospitals, customers swipe their own card for payment, they cannot gain fountain drinks, there are no salad bars, there is no way to dish food on their own; everything is done by employees. When you go to the Post Office you see an entire barrier of clear plastic across the entire counter with a small gap at the counter to pay for items, give your packages to the clerk along with so forth. In a few restaurants social distancing markers have been placed on the floors along with payment is done touch free where employees do not touch anything in a shared manner.
Healthcare Employee Psychological Impacts
There are several psychological impacts from Covid-19. First, healthcare employees have to continue to digest the changes in their environment; barriers, constant masking, changes in policies, etc. There is also the continued increased level of potential exposures along with future waves of infection. They also face increased workload demands along with risks as hospitals expand opening of surgical procedures; more patients, less resources. Additionally, workload demands increase because peers resign, retire or quit their positions because of Covid-19.
The stressors of Covid-19 also influence attachment, motivation and organizational commitment. As I have covered before, motivation is determined by the presence and absence of particular workplace factors and the extent to which they are present or absent. Organizational commitment is based in ones emotional attachment to remain with an organization. Attachment is based on the trust and expectation that benefit and support will be available when it is needed and past experience continue to exhibit support for needs.
During the course of Covid-19, the CDC along with hospitals began to bend the rules of acceptable PPE usage. Changes were suddenly accepted as reasonable practice because of the PPE strain along with safety quickly exploded as a concern. For example, single use masks were now to be used for an entire working shift along with isolation gowns had to be used for the entire shift. Things truly began to look like the Wild Wild West.
Due to environment during Covid-19, motivation factors adversely influenced include Company Policies, Relationship with Supervisors, Working Conditions and also Safety. As outlined in my research on motivation and also commitment, each construct is highly correlated. So, in other words, the more motivation is influenced, the more commitment is weakened.
As outlined, Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on healthcare employee psychological behaviors, physical changes as well as social dynamics. With no end in sight these things will continue to put pressure on sensitive areas of humanity.
What Is COVID 19?
COVID 19 is a virus that is in the Coronavirus SARS (Southeast Asian Respitory Syndrome) category. It causes respitory as well as lung problems as well as will sometimes be dangerous to a number of people with bronchial problems or those with underlying conditions.
Symptoms vary between people. The majority of people that gain it, never realize that they had it along with usually think it's allergies or a mild cold.
COVID 19 Symptoms
One of the first things that people notice when they attain COVID 19 is a mild headache that doesn't go away. Within a couple of days, one or more of the following can occur.
- Breathing problems - usually feeling like you can't breath deep or get enough air
- Loss of taste - a few have reported that they can not even taste hot sauce or whiskey
- Muscle and also body aches
- Lethargy and also tiredness (due to a loss of oxygen)
- Coughing as well as hacking up fluid like substances
- Hands along with feet attain a bluish tint from lack of oxygen
The death rate with COVID 19 is far less than the seasonal flu. The flu has a mortality rate average of 6515. COVID 19 has a mortality rate of 1531.
Why all of the Scare Tactics along with Mask Wearing?
There are many theories on this including
- Political reasons (the take down of President Trump)
- Global Eugenics - reduce the population of the planet to 500 million
- A distraction from the disclosure of aliens that oc heal d in March of 2020
- Globalization as well as forcing a new world order, by destoying small businesses
- A test to see how apathetic people are along with how far they may be pushed
If we break it all down, there are a lot of facts included in all of the theories. Lets take a look at a few of the facts.
Closing small businesses certainly effected President Trump, because the economy was raging before this. It also fits the Globalization New World Order scenario, because when (if) the smoke clears, there will be all major corporation run companies like Walmart left. It's also a definate test of how much people will put up with.
This all can be part of a master plan, though unfortunately the worst scenario is the most likely...
Global Depopulation
Coronavirus is very small. One micron. An N-95 surgical mask will sometimes block things down to 3 microns, so even they are useless against Coronavirus. People are running around with bandanas along with masks that are completly useless.
Forcing people to stay home, closing businesses, schools and public places is the WORST thing that can be done! Why?
Humans have an immune system that is extraordinary. When we catch a virus, that virus cannot be caught again, as long as it hasn't mutated. By keeping people from getting COVID 19, it will not allow the natural immune system to develop a "memory" for it. This is VERY DANGEROUS!
Coronavirus is mostly dangerous when combined with another virus or health problem. In fact, that's when it becomes deadly.
Now, when the flu season hits, there will be NO immunity to COVID 19 or the flu, because the flu mutates every year. That's why flu shots are useless. A flu shot is an injection of a mild form of the flu virus. The hope is that people will build an immunity to it, as opposed to having the full blown flu virus hit them.
The problem is easily seen by anyone with common sense. COVID 19 will now be combined with the flu or EVEN the flu shot, which will make it DEADLY. Do you keep hearing blurbs on the news about "mandatory vaccines"?
You can make up your own mind about what's going on, although in the end, unless people stand together and say "Enough", this will continue until we the sheep are all led to slaughter...
Covid-19 Crisis Highlights Problems With Over Regulation
Most people who get a paycheck, who don't own a small business simply do not understand the tremendous hardship that businesses have with over regulation. However, Americans are now getting a taste of what they've been missing and also are now graspattaining just how bad overreaching regulation will sometimes be. Most of us understand that when a restaurant is limited to a certain number of seats let's say 25% capacity, that they won't make as much money, and also will sometimes not turn a profit. Therefore, they will have to lay off employees or go out of business.
Still, how many times have we asked ourselves which regulations we already had in place before the Covid-19 crisis which were stifling, smothering, and also quelling the profits of our small business community? There are an endless number of regulations that each and also every small business in America has to deal with. Then there are class-action lawsuits, employment lawsuits, and also contract lawsuits. Many of these lawsuits are enabled because of regulations on the books, regulations that perhaps the small business person didn't even know about.
Since the Covid-19 crisis began, we've noticed businesses such as Gyms, hair salons, as well as restaurants literally going through hell just to stay open, trying to satisfy their local County health commissioner's new regulations. Businesses have had to do take-out orders only, require every employee wear a mask, as well as put up Plexiglas so employees do not breathe in tiny airborne water droplets which may have the Covid-19 virus on them coming from patrons.
Have you ever wondered how much that costs small businesses just to comply with those types of regulations, these on top of all the other regulations that were in place before the Covid-19 crisis? Just to provide take out only service for restaurants they have to put up signage, alert all their customers, advertise their new format, buy more to go containers, and train other employees as to the new way to do business. All that costs money, at a time when their sales are less than 50%. How are they supposed to make money? We know most are not.
And still, do you have any ideas how several regulations are already on the books. A typical small business might have 20 different licenses, fees, permits, or certifications on their wall. Each one cost money, took time to file, and also is generally renewable annually, those are added costs. Imagine if there were not 20 different licenses, fees, permits, or certifications? What if there were only 5 or 10? The businesses would make a lot more money and also then if and also when a Covid-like crisis comes along next time they may satisfy those new regulations without going out of business.
We need to acquire government both local and federal, out-of-the-way of small business. The small businesses are not the problem spreading Covid-19, they didn't start the problem, they are victims like all of us. Over regulation is like a virus to business, in essence it causes the same problem for potential profits.
Have you asked yourself during this Covid Pandemic "why" we are putting all the burden on the businesses? If we continually treat our small businesses this way, in the future we won't have any more. Larger corporations have more political power and also clout. They are also able to use the government to make regulations preventing their smaller competitors from competing.
If we destroy our small businesses now, we will be sorry later. Over 75% of all Americans are employed in a small business, with that quite a few unemployed Americans no one will do well, including the large corporations. Can you imagine what the hit on our economy will be? Can you imagine the cost of all those unemployment benefits? We will literally bankrupt our country. And that's pretty much what we are doing now with the Covid-19 crisis.
What we need to do is re-look at everything now while we have the chance. We could make sweeping changes that will protect our small business community and keep our economy vibrant for years to come. I hope this Covid-19 crisis challenge has woken everyone up, so they could see how the hand of government and over regulation are destroying our freedom, liberty, choices, economy, and future. Please consider all this and think on it.
Impact of COVID On Retail Industry Future Strategies & Retail Post COVID-19
The impact of pandemic COVID-19 has affected all of us globally. It has crashed economic growth. A lot of people have lost their jobs and also have suffered physically, emotionally, and also financially due to this crisis. In just a few months, this pandemic has changed the whole scenario of how business houses and also industries are going to function in the future to come.
Let us today talk specifically about how the retailers in India are facing the heat of the crisis and are coping up to run the business. The impact of COVID-19 on retail is evident, and in addition to this, it has also impacted the health and movement of the people.
COVID-19 Effect on Retailers: Current, Coming, and also Future Phase
The situation of the Indian retailers has worsened due to the pandemic. They are facing the challenge of coping with the situation now, next, as well as beyond. Right now, we are living in the "now" phase that has observed a halt in the business.
Nowadays, essential commodities like groceries, medicines, and also other food shops are allowed to operate, though they face quite a few problems. There are various issues the retailers deal with that include managing the customer demand, coping with supply chain problems, following social distancing norms, and also maintaining proper hygiene of all the employees.
In this pandemic crisis, the essential commodities are impacted to a lesser extent as compared to the other products available in the market. The customers have lost their faith in the services along with have stopped purchasing other things except for the essential goods.
When the industry steps in the "next" phase, they need to make proper strategies to attain back in motion. The retail post COVID scenario will put forward a new challenge to adjust according to new business techniques.
The retail industry's future strategies will provide a roadmap to flourish well in the market. It will provide the shopkeepers with the challenge to prove their mettle and adopt different and effective ways to run their business smoothly.
Issues for retailers in different sectors
1. Employee welfare and also management
Right now, the critical issue faced by most of the retailers is managing the expenses of the employees. They have to ensure a proper healthy environment for their frontline personnel.
2. Trade along with supply chain
With the fear of lockdown, the demand for essential supplies has been skyrocketed. On the contrary, no one is looking to buy any non-essential items leading to hoarding of these things in stores.
Restriction in transportation has disrupted the supply chain for essential items, which in result has elevated the demand.
3. Brand and also clientage protection
Retailers have to face massive crowds due to an increase in panic. They also have to prevent any negative marketing due to nuisance created by a large number of maniacs. Moreover, they need to maintain their image while keeping a check on the hygienic standards.
4. Finance
With less demand for products, retailers need to regulate the flow of income for salaries as well as other expenses. They are looking for measures to plan in accordance with short term liquidity.
5. Technology and also security
With an exponential rise for online services, it is crucial to maintain the online traffic. With this, retailers have to look into cybersecurity issues. Also, they have to incorporate advanced technologies to ensure maximum no-contact dealing with customers.
Change in Consumer Behavior Due to COVID-19
A drastic shift can be observed in consumer behavior due to the pandemic ranging from the "now" phase to the "beyond" phase.
The consumers in the "now" stage are busy piling the stock for the essential commodities for the future so that they don't feel scarcity later on. All the food and grocery shops cater to the needs of people residing in rural and urban areas.
When the consumers enter the "next" phase, then daily life will start pacing as it was earlier, although the customers will start doubting everything.
Observing today's situation, we will sometimes quickly evaluate that there will be a shift in the consumer buying pattern as they will be more inclined towards purchasing local brands as compared to expensive brands. Businesses need to digitize themselves in every way, making it a se heal transaction so customers will sometimes have faith.
Top 6 Effective Resilience strategies for Indian retailers
The impact of COVID-19 on the retail market is visible. The retailers need to adopt the new marketing strategies so they are well prepared for the "now", "next", and also "beyond" phase to cope up with the market needs. The retail industry's future strategies will decide their new consumers.
Retailers have to invest in areas that have a high conversion rate. They have to keep in mind the needs of the new consumers that are relying on them. They need not only think of the present scenario but have to think about the future along with even beyond that when normalcy will eventually prevail.
If retailers adapt speed and agility in current times, they are surely going to reap the fruits in the future to come.
1. Frugal in Managing Finance
Financial management will be a very cumbersome task for people across the nation. Many of us have suffered across the dwindling jobs, salaries, interest payments, and installments all over the world. This situation has forced retailers to optimize the costs to have enough cash flow and margin so that they can survive through this phase.
2. Agile in sustainable thinking
With COVID-19 pandemic came along a lot of uncertainty, and also no one was well prepared for it. For the retail industry, they need to be flexible and also adapt to new operational models. The product assortment should meet the requirement and also that is of utmost importance.
3. Spruced up in supply chain
Retailers have to be very cautious to play a proper role in the supply chain. The demands keep on fluctuating in the supply process, however the retailers have to be vigilant enough to tackle every sort of supply. They have to make a proper plan to deal with all the logistics along with inventory so that their business can work in any situation until the whole situation comes under control. If the company adopts digitized ways, then it can aid to achieve strides. The business has to adopt delivery-based models so that the customer demands can be fulfilled.
4. Tactful in Talent Management
If you want your business to flourish in the next few years, you should become a good leader. Frequently ask your employees about their well-being so that you build trust in the organization over time. Once everything comes back to normal, they only have to reskill themselves to meet the business's changing demands.
5. Effective in Client Retention as well as Management
Retention is going to be the key. Retailers have to ensure not losing their old customers. Regular feedback and quick response to queries will build a level of trust not only in the services although give them a elated shopping experience. They need to reflect that proper hygiene levels are being maintained for everyone's safety.
6. Responsible in Regulatory and also Legal Compliance
There have been various rules and also laws passed by the state, central, and also local governments to ensure citizens' safety. To abide by all the rules and also safety measures will cost a lot to the retailers. It will also hamper their resources. But they have to cooperate with the government because these steps are only for the betterment of the situation. The lockdown is being lifted in various stages, so it becomes the responsibility of every citizen to support the government.
As the COVID-19 is evolving, no one can predict what is going to happen to the sector due to its effects. This pandemic is an alarming bell for everyone to mend business ways and also make the business flexible and also agile. If this situation happens in the future, everyone should be prepared enough to handle it. It has forced every industry to focus on the digital means so that they have proper facilities to fight back. This is the time for the retailers to analyze the scenario properly and also make ways to stand above all these crises.
Bottom line
The impact of COVID-19 on retailers cannot be estimated yet. We can only hope that it ends soon. A flexible business strategy and well-equipped team with all the resources will definitely stand out and survive the current situation. Digitizations is unquestionably the future we can predict as for now!
