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What the pandemic brought

By Iberbrand | 16-Mar-2023
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This month our section 5+1 talks about an unprecedented phenomenon almost three years after it happened. The pandemic, which we expected would last 3 weeks or 21 days, lasts around three full years, and its effects remain visible. From accelerated vaccines to a change in the way people work, this month we bring you five interesting developments plus one that can be feasible, but might as well be an invention #sorrynotsorry

Was the pandemic originated in a lab?

This question still haunts us to this day. At the beginning of the pandemic, implying that the Covid virus could have escaped from a lab in China was inconceivable. Perhaps because it sounded like a sci-fi movie, and since the effects of the virus were deadly back then, implying that humans had participated in releasing a virus was a sore subject. But three years after we first learned of COVID's existence, the possibility of a lab leak being the cause of the pandemic seems more accepted. This theory might also justify the fast development of vaccines. Being the virus the consequence of a lab leak, then probably it was way under study. The conclusive answer to this theory might still take some time since the FBI considers this an “ongoing investigation” and, as such, cannot be fully addressed or disclosed.

Hybrid work, the biggest labor innovation of our times.

The idea of being able to work from any part of the world or at least from home seemed more of a utopia than a real possibility. Then, the pandemic hit, and the chances of remote work became necessary for all to prevent gatherings and contagions. Nevertheless, it seems that the only reason people go to an office has more to do with micro-management and control issues. But three years later, it has become evident that the advantages of allowing remote or hybrid work surpass the possible downsides. Nonetheless, this new modality has also shown us that balance is key. For many people, it is vital to have a space where they can disconnect from home and vice versa. While for others, it is more important to avoid commuting and prefer to have a designated spot for working in their homes. For some, part of the charm of going to the office has to do with community, while for others, it seems better to avoid dealing with office dynamics. Hopefully, companies will provide options for every kind of person or employee, considering that remote and hybrid work is here to stay. We only need to perfect how it should be for the benefit of all.

Digital nomads and the new systems to work around the world.

In 2020, when most countries worldwide decided to close borders to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, some preferred to leave them open to attract people to take refuge. Mexico was one of those, and after 3 years of receiving “digital nomads”, Mexico decided to implement new measures to profit from this wave of foreigners that decided to claim Mexico as their new home. Mexico has always been a lax country regarding the legal status of tourists who overdue their visas. But in the past years, it was determined to strengthen its policies to tax all the digital nomads that arrived during the pandemic. The tourist visa in Mexico lasts 180 days. To renew it, it is only necessary to leave the country for a couple of days and re-enter the territory to get an additional 180 days. Or so it was. Mexico has now implemented revisions and reduced visas for people who have gone in and out of the country more than three times during 2020-2023. Not too different from how other countries deal with tourists, but Mexico has never been so strict about overstaying or working without a proper visa. The government finally caught up with that. Now one of the top developing businesses is providing services to obtain legal status and temporary residencies in Mexico, easing foreigners to open bank accounts and taxing their incomes. It seems a fair game for all, and as Mexico does not seem eager to prevent foreigners from coming, regulating their status sounds like a smart move from the authorities.

The best inventions during the pandemic.

The pandemic brought us to zoom and remote work, but let’s not forget about other products we are now using to have around, which were a novelty back in the day: The shoe rack: we all embraced the Japanese way when the pandemic hit and started taking our shoes off when we entered a closed space. The shoe rack became part of our lives and our house decor. It is now as common as having plants and a pet. Adopting pets: many people realized that loneliness was real, and during the worst part of the pandemic, people adopted pets. Although not everyone endured the commitment, many people found it blissful. It is another reason for some to continue with the hybrid work mode. Sanitizing rug: entering a place meant you had to disinfect yourself as they did in the movie MONSTERS INC. Nowadays, it seems normal to have sanitizing rugs. Additionally, vaporizing and infrared devices such as alcohol dispensers are here to stay. Masks: Asia already knew that wearing masks in crowded spaces can prevent diseases, but western civilizations learned that only three years ago. Even though using masks is optional in most countries, many people feel safer using them and will probably keep doing it.

What other tools, aside from vaccines, were developed during the pandemic?

Zoom, the tool which became popular during the pandemic to keep up to date with friends and coworkers, had been around for quite a while (since 2012, to be precise). In 2019, it became a public company, but no one would have predicted what would happen with it the following year. During the pandemic, it became the most popular entertainment, work, and learning tool. It exponentially increased worldwide subscribers (200% during the first year of the pandemic). It did face a security problem criticism, but like any other tool which uses and profits from the information gathered from the users, it promised to protect the information by ciphering the calls and information provided to the platform. Though its fame was short-lived, its popularity was notable, so much so that there is even a term to describe the exhaustion that came from using Zoom for long periods: zoom exhaustion. Despite critics and eventual ousting, Zoom will be recalled as one of the pandemic´s most iconic communication instruments and will remain in many social media stories and posts.

Indian Corporation Registers 'Coronavirus' Brand for Antidote Energy Drink.

In a shocking turn of events, the local corporation "Coronavirus Industries Pvt. Ltd." was granted permission by the Indian authorities to register their brand name as "Coronavirus" for an energy drink that claimed to be an antidote for COVID-19. The company -based out of Mumbai, applied for registration in June 2020 when the world was grappling with the pandemic. Sources close to the matter reveal that authorities rejected the application citing concerns about the sensitivity of the term "Coronavirus" in the current global scenario. However, the company reportedly lobbied hard and used its political connections to overturn the decision. The company's founder and CEO, Mr. Ravi Shastri, defended the move by stating that the company had done extensive research and developed an energy drink specifically designed to boost immunity against COVID-19. He added that the company had conducted several clinical trials and had obtained positive results. The energy drink, marketed under the brand name "Coronavirus," was sold in several cities across India, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. The company's marketing campaign heavily relied on the fear and panic surrounding the pandemic, claiming that their energy drink was the only antidote to COVID-19. Authorities remain silent despite several complaints and petitions by concerned citizens and healthcare professionals. The company continues-selling its energy drink under the brand name "Coronavirus". Its sales skyrocketed in the months following its launch. The news of a corporation with permission to register the term "Coronavirus" for an energy drink has sparked outrage among the general public, with many calling for strict action against the company and the authorities involved in granting the permission. With the pandemic still raging, the move by "Coronavirus Industries Pvt. Ltd." has been widely condemned as insensitive and opportunistic. Experts warn that such actions could lead to confusion and misinformation among the public and undermine the efforts of healthcare professionals in combating the pandemic.

Fake! During the pandemic several myths arose about foods, beverages, plants and drugs that could be the cure for COVID-19, but they were not confirmed.

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