The Covid-19 pandemic has created chaos and confusion across the globe.

With no vaccine currently available, this fast-spreading disease which is particularly dangerous for those with pre-existing medical conditions has devastated the global economy, consigning the Sino-American trade war and other geopolitical challenges to a distant memory.

At the same time, national-level policy measures such as travel bans and lockdowns have impacted societies trying to shift patterns of behaviour to starve the virus of its means of transmission.

REASON FOR HOPE IN A UNIQUE CRISIS

Global leaders have called for calm and unity as measures such as lockdowns only work if people follow the guidelines and rules. But this is not easy.

Safe distancing, staying at home and refraining from social activities for prolonged periods of time all go against human nature.

Many Singaporeans face challenges from enforced work-from-home arrangements and the closures of schools for their children.

Social tensions are rising as incidents such as panic buying and hoarding of goods, as well as irresponsible behaviour ahead of the month-long “circuit breaker” have created furore and divisions online.

But there are reasons for hope and optimism that go beyond the national measures being implemented to bring the virus under control.

First, this is a global crisis unlike many others in recent memory.

While Covid-19 can be deadly, it is not virulent like Ebola, which according to the World Health Organization, kills 50 per cent of its patients.

Nor is Covid-19 a spectre of war or foreign invasion, which our forefathers had to endure. Neither is it a global economic crisis triggered by financial manoeuvres beyond the comprehension of the average man in the street.

It is one which can be defeated by means that lie in our own hands, literally and figuratively.

Good hygiene habits like thorough hand-washing and the use of sanitisers can protect ourselves against infection.

At the same time, it is in our power to make the relatively simple decision to change our behaviour temporarily, thereby breaking the transmission chain of the virus.

This should be a source of motivation for all of us who are privileged enough to have a shelter and home to stay in away from work, and who have the luxury of space in which to practice safe distancing.

Many of us also have technology that allows us to continue our work at home, thereby maintaining our salaries, and a multitude of entertainment options at our disposal.

If this is the global crisis of our generation, it could be a lot worse.

Secondly, the economic turmoil being created by the pandemic is a double-edged sword.

It is certainly causing chaos for financial markets, global supply chains and many industries, especially aviation, hospitality and tourism.

The enforcement of stay-home policies will see many businesses coming under intense pressure as cash flows dry up and revenues plummet to zero overnight.

My friends in sectors such as sports and performing arts have shared how they barely had time to come to grips with the outbreak before it wiped out their sources of income in a matter of days as all forms of events were rapidly cancelled.

The immensity and immediacy of the financial devastation spurred the Government to unveil three budgets in less than two months, an unprecedented move aimed at providing a full spectrum of support.

These measures may help most businesses deal with the immediate threats. Yet, many observers expect the business world as a whole to change fundamentally, even after the Covid-19 crisis abates.

Companies and individuals are realising a new world of possibilities involving video-conferencing, tele-commuting and numerous apps and platforms aimed at information-sharing and coordination among working teams.

Corporate leaders are learning how to manage, lead and motivate staff in disparate locations through new communication tools.

Consumers are fast discovering how literally anything can be bought online and delivered to their doorsteps.

What this will mean for businesses will not be completely clear until the dust has settled. But one thing is clear — we cannot afford to wait till then to begin refocusing our business models to be ready to handle the new normal.

In good times, it is difficult to convince business owners and staff to invest the resources and effort needed to repurpose a business for the future, as the focus is typically on making the proverbial hay while the sun shines.

But a crisis as global and far-reaching as the current pandemic means that companies are forced to think deeply about how to survive the current challenges, as well as how to thrive in the new environment that will emerge.

We now have to think of new ways to market ideas, products and services in an environment where we may never see our customers face to face.

We need to learn new skills to be able to leverage on the technology that can connect us and allow us to manage our businesses online. The gig economy is also likely to play an increasingly important role in the future landscape, and we need to plan for that.

Aside from these hard truths, the pandemic has also forced people together to collaborate and find ways to survive these tough few months by sharing ideas and figuring out to band together. And more people working together is always better than less.

BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD

It’s early days yet in terms of the “circuit breaker” measures that have been implemented for at least one month. There have been grouses online and offline, centering on the inconvenience caused and the perceived draconian nature of some of the legal measures being deployed.

I think these complaints miss the point. The measures, while certainly out of the norm for the majority of Singaporeans, aren’t really all that onerous.

There is a meme circulating which sums it up quite nicely: “All it takes for us to overcome this crisis is to stay home and watch TV. Let’s not screw this up.”

While it certainly is a bit of dark humour, it’s not far from the truth.

At the policy level, the authorities are implementing lessons learnt from the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003, and also putting in place measures to ensure we are ready to ride the recovery wave when it comes.

Hopefully at an individual level, as employees, managers and business owners, we can see that we also have a prime opportunity to reposition and refocus to be ready for the post-Covid world.

It’s been said before that one should never let a good crisis go to waste. As we hunker down to get through the current circuit breaker and other challenges which may lie ahead, let’s make sure we don’t waste the chance to emerge stronger from the pandemic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicholas Fang is a former Nominated Member of Parliament, and manages and owns businesses in the communications, marketing and trading sectors.