[The Editors' Verdict]The Social Impact of COVID-19 and Anticipated Changes

by Han Jinjoo

Published 24 Feb.2020 09:57(KST)

Lim Joo-hwan, Advisor at Korea Information and Communication Industry Research Institute

A novel coronavirus measuring about 100 nm has plunged Wuhan, a city of 10 million people in China, into a state of terror, gradually spreading to surrounding cities including Hubei Province. The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) threatens neighboring countries and has put the entire world on edge. The impact of COVID-19 is so immense that it is impossible to describe in detail. A situation that could only be seen in science fiction (SF) movies is unfolding right before our eyes.

After half of the population, 5 million people, left the city, Wuhan was locked down and city functions were halted. The remaining 5 million residents are under a stay-at-home order. Only one family member is allowed to go out every two days to purchase essential goods, but recently thousands of soldiers have been deployed to completely block outings and deliver necessities to each household. Just thinking about it is horrifying.

COVID-19 is also having a significant impact on daily life in our country. People are minimizing outdoor activities and avoiding meetings with others. Meanwhile, this has dealt a direct blow to self-employed workers in related fields such as food services, who were already struggling due to poor economic conditions. The tourism and travel industries are also facing serious challenges. Universities have postponed their semester start dates, and some manufacturing companies have halted production lines.

Although COVID-19 will eventually subside, it has already delivered a major shock to our society and is expected to bring about significant changes. While all sectors were gradually shifting from offline to online, COVID-19 seems to act as a catalyst accelerating this transition.

First, tremendous changes are expected in the distribution industry. Internet shopping had been steadily increasing, but the 50-60 age group still frequently used offline stores. Due to the impact of COVID-19, they are now reluctantly shopping online as they reduce outdoor activities. Once the 50-60 age group becomes accustomed to online shopping, it is expected to continue even after COVID-19 ends. Coincidentally or not, Lotte Mart recently announced plans to close about 200 stores, and E-Mart is also planning a large-scale restructuring. Alibaba, a global Chinese internet shopping company, had been operating at a loss since its establishment, but its sales surged significantly due to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in China in 2003, and it has continued rapid growth since then. There has been much debate about telecommuting, but it has not been properly implemented. However, after COVID-19, many companies are expected to find practical ways to sustain work remotely and prepare for emergency situations.

Remote lectures are already common in the United States but are not widely used in our country. Going forward, remote lectures are expected to be institutionalized and actively introduced. If this becomes possible, unnecessary measures such as artificially delaying semester start dates will no longer be needed. Telemedicine should also be actively adopted without further delay. If suspected patients consult doctors online before visiting hospitals, it can reduce visits to general hospitals and minimize hospital-acquired infections. It is unfortunate that information for suspected COVID-19 patients is only visible upon arrival at hospital entrances. Although the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak caused significant turmoil in the past, telemedicine has not yet been implemented, and it can no longer be postponed.

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) robots is likely to become more active. One reason Adidas Germany introduced robots for assembling sneakers was that robots do not complain even when working 24 hours a day. Another reason seems to be added: robots do not get infected by viruses like COVID-19 nor do they spread them, so they can maintain production. New types of viruses may threaten us anytime and anywhere in the future. Thorough preparation is essential.