The Bitter Fruits of COVID-19 and its Impact

By Mr. Dennis Firmansjah, MM94 Former Chairman, FAIM Former Chairman, Ikatan AIM Alumni Indonesia

Approaching the end of 2019, we were so busy in finalizing our business plan etc. And perhaps no one even thought that Covid-19 was something to be considered in preparing those plans for 2020.

But all of a sudden we must enter the “dark side” of year 2020 since last January. People all over the world are panic especially after WHO declared Covid-19 pandemic in March.

Covid-19 has paralyzed the economic activities, starting from a nationwide lockdown imposed in many countries which almost immediately make some industries are severely hit and many people have lost their jobs at an unprecedented level.

We know the impact of Covid-19 has been manifold, bearing health issues and hardships that have not been evenly distributed among people around the world.

Today’s pandemic could go on much longer than we anticipate, and no one can even predict when this pandemic will cease. Household spending has already been hit and may take time to recover if unemployment continues to be high and persistent.

What will happen when our efforts to defeat the virus end, for instance, with a vaccine? Can Work from Home go back to the usual normal?

By looking at how the current event is shaping people now, we might better anticipate the changes that could stick tomorrow.

We have to look at this Covid-19 crisis through a human-centered lens, to share stories and deliver perspectives that paint a picture of emerging behaviors that might stick in the long run.

Despite these Covid-19 challenges, I continue to Work from Home for both business and ministerial works. Apparently, I can save a lot of time each day avoiding heavy traffic condition. On the charity activities, I have sent foods to the orphanage houses.