Life after COVID-19

An indisputable fact about COVID-19 is that everyone's life has changed. Lockdown alert level 5 was a tough life lesson for us all. It transformed our world literally overnight, making loss of life and livelihoods a devastating and harsh reality. But right now, for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africans are breathing a little easier.

With vaccinated countries around the globe starting to enjoy their post-COVID-19 lifestyles and our vaccine programme underway, we're finally starting to dare to dream instead of focusing on surviving each day. As we look to the future, it's heartening to see that it's not all doom and gloom - there are some very definite positive changes that are making their presence felt.

A transformed workplace

One of the biggest impacts of COVID-19 can be seen in the workplace, driven by a complete transformation in both the digital world and our approach to remote working. A new McKinsey Global Survey reports that the pandemic has dramatically increased the speed at which digital technology is fundamentally changing business. This confirms that the future will belong to companies that put technology at the centre of their outlook, capabilities, and leadership mandate.

According to Global Workplace Analytics, a research-based consulting firm dedicated to preparing employers for the future of work, surveys repeatedly show that 80% of employees want to work from home at least some of the time, with a third of them willing to take a pay cut in exchange for the option. Global Workplace Analytics estimate that by the end of 2021, 25 to 30% of the workforce will be working from home multiple days a week. McKinsey says about 20 to 25% of the workforce in advanced economies could now work from home between three to five days a week, an increase of four to five times than before the pandemic.

A change for the better

Arthur Goldstuck - founder of World Wide Worx and commentator on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), internet and mobile communications and technologies - believes that there are several signs of palpable positive change in society, business and social interaction. "One of the most subtle but significant indicators is the traffic patterns in urban areas," he says. "Although traffic is back to normal throughout the day, it is also more spread through the day, meaning that rush hour no longer means crawling traffic and trips that take twice as long as at other times. This is a consequence of a realisation that flexible working hours can be more productive, and the traditional office is not necessarily the most efficient working environment. While flexible working hours and telecommuting were always an element of work, they are now a dominant theme. This is a win for people, businesses and the environment."

Arthur highlights three post-COVID workplace changes to look out for:

• The remote working revolution has highlighted both the positives and negatives of moving away from the bums-on-seats measure of productivity. On the one hand, it showed that people can work from anywhere. On the other, it posed a challenge both to managers who were used to micromanagement and to teams that thrived on collaboration. Expect to see concepts like collaboration days, regular office get-togethers for both strategic and social reasons, and new tools for measuring and managing productivity. You can also expect massive push back from employees who are subjected to such tools, sometimes because they are intrusive, and sometimes because they take micromanagement to absurd levels.
• The normalisation of video conferencing may mean a lot more meetings, but it also means more efficient meetings, and eliminates the need to travel long distances. Unless a face-to-face meeting has clear advantages for a specific situation, it will no longer be necessary to block out an hour before and after a meeting as well as the hour for the meeting itself. Of course, face-to-face meetings still have major benefits but for quick catch-ups, the world has changed for the better.
• The current reduced occupancy of office complexes, towers, and parks will not be fully reversed, meaning that these facilities will be repurposed to make more effective use of space and capacity. Expect more recreational areas in office environments, as well as mixed-use approaches to office areas that more regularly combines them with living and recreational spaces.

It's time to embrace the digital healthcare world

The fourth industrial revolution has caused seismic shifts with ubiquitous connectivity and exponential growth in computing power coupled with the rise of artificial intelligence. However,COVID-19 has been a catalyst in the rapid adoption of technology in healthcare, says Dr Sudeshan Govender, director of Mediclinic Victoria. "The implementation of digital health has expanded the boundaries of practices beyond the normal brick-and-mortar confines to allow for value-based patient-centred care models. In the post-COVID era, these emergent strategies will allow for a more accessible, efficient, affordable and equitable process in daily practices, especially in combating the scourge of non-communicable disease".

It's here that Discovery is leading the way with a variety of tools to manage your health plan through the Discovery app and website. In addition, Discovery Connected Care offers a digital platform that connects you to a range of home-based healthcare services for all levels of care, providing seamless access to your doctors through online consultations, linked remote home monitoring and point-of care-devices (such as Home) and wearables. Discovery Connected Care also offers convenient access to personalised, condition-specific information to help you to better manage your health.

There's no doubt that COVID-19 has catapulted even the most technologically challenged into a digital-first world. It seems that this world is here to stay, especially when it comes to your health. With Discovery at your side, you'll have no problem navigating your way through this new virtual world.