Rebuilding a broken world after COVID-19
June 22, 2020
This post was written by Lindsey LeBaron. Lindsey is currently a Master’s Candidate at Florida International University, studying Global Strategic Communications with a certification in Crisis Management and Consensus-Building. Lindsey is interested in building connections between global communities to create lasting change. She believes that the creation of strong communication skills will build a more sustainable world.
Due to the coronavirus, businesses, livelihoods, careers, education, and daily life have been altered, stunted, or even ceased. Confronting the pandemic, many leaders have worked tirelessly to ensure their citizens’ safety and security. The courage, sacrifice, and determination of health professionals has saved millions of lives. Yet, the challenges facing our world do not halt because of the pandemic.
As the world struggles to transition back to normal, success rests upon solutions that will keep communities safe from the continual spread of coronavirus, fix the global economy, and return humanity to a state of normalcy.
Cautious, not Casual
As people return to work and businesses open up again, safety must be of the utmost importance. The United States Department of Labor provides the following guidelines to keep our communities safe from the spread of COVID-19:
Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. If you do not have running water available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth as much as possible. Wash your hands beforehand.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Practice social distancing by maintaining six feet distance and avoid close contact with those who are sick.
Stay at home and avoid large crowds.
If you leave the house, wear a mask to protect yourself and others from infection.
If you have any symptoms, please seek help by calling your doctor. By calling in advance, your health care provider can direct you to the correct health facility to protect you and others from infection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides daily updates on the state of the world and keeps track of the spread of the disease. Check out the WHO Coronavirus Disease Dashboard here.
Facing the future
We have many challenges ahead of us as we get closer to a cure and closer to creating a new status quo. We must remain hyper-vigilant in assisting governments and communities that are struggling under the weight of an economic downturn. As we transition from yellow to green, new challenges will move to the forefront: increased rates of poverty and malnutrition as well as decreases in educational outcomes and business development.
Poverty levels and malnutrition may increase
COVID-19 is making the fight against poverty, starvation, and malnourishment even harder. According to the United Nations, there is more than enough food in the world to feed our population of 7.8 billion people. Despite this, more than 820 million people in the world are hungry. Additionally, due to malnutrition, 144 million children under the age of 5 are stunted (more than 1 in 5 children worldwide). Around 49 million more people may fall into extreme poverty because of COVID-19.
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said, “[In responding to the challenges of the pandemic] We have the opportunity to build a more inclusive and sustainable world.” Guterres offered 3 ideas on how that sustainable world can be achieved:
Focus our attention on areas with the highest risk.
Provide safe access to nutritious foods, particularly for young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, the elderly, and at-risk individuals.
We must invest in the future.
Education offerings and business development may decrease
Most governments closed schools to protect their citizens, and especially their children, from the spread of COVID-19. The closures have impacted over 60% of the world’s student population and millions of learners around the world have been affected. Organizations such as UNESCO have implemented programs to support students through webinars, support systems, and distance learning.
Similarly, the outbreak of COVID-19 has caused an economic upset directly affecting businesses around the world. A record-breaking 3.28 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits at the end of March. Currently, the United States has an unemployment rate of 13.3%. The CDC provides daily updates and ideas to help businesses adjust to the pandemic.
Ways to help
There are many ways we can help during these difficult times.
Following daily regulations from the CDC and the WHO will help maximize protection from the virus.
Donate extra funds to local and international non-profit organizations to aid poverty reduction.
Volunteer to put together school supplies and hygiene kits.
Our efforts to be smart and safe will drastically improve our global health, condense the mortality rate, and help the world return to normal.
