The day after COVID 19. Post epidemic Implications.

Let’s 1st express my condolences to those who passed away suffering this epidemic and let’s hope that things got in control soon across the world.

There is no doubt COVID 19 will have a significant impact on all aspects of our life include personal hygiene, social behavior, investment strategies as well as macro and micro economic prospective.

In this article I will be focusing on the consequences from a pure qualitative dimension until studies got finalized based on focus study group to come out with validated hypothesis.

1.     Our personal hygiene and general wellness will take priority no.1 one in our life; whom we shake hand with, meet, open door for, hug or get in touch with by any means will become a concern ,followed by obsession about carrying sanitizes, washing hand regularly to the extent that such practice will be glorified for some people. The presence of enough sanitized, detergents and cleaning supplies will for sure got added to the new “goes without saying” shopping list.

2.     Our perception to the highly appreciated professions will got changed dramatically, Scientists, physicians and medical system members will step up occupying the proper position.

3.     Our nutrition habits will be re-defined; more care will be exercised in the type of food we are eating, vegetables, fruits and antiviral items in general. Lemon, ginger, orange, onion, broccoli and fish will be a “goes without saying” in our grocery list.

4.     Before COVID-19, no one really cared about stocking food at home but this is not the case now; canned food (tuna, beans, mushroom) as well as long lasting food items such as rice and pasta will be a permanent item in our cupboards.

5.     Before COVID-19, the culture of “Just do it” was dominant in our behavior, now, this was invaded by “Do it remotely" or "do it online”. Our shopping will be online, we will get used to the fact that all packages got dropped on our porch or doorstep.

6.     Our definition to the word “Plan” will be changed, as we saw in less than 6 weeks, everything turned upside down, travel plans, business trips or meetings even training plans; there will be more acceptance to the word “ Plan B” and C.

7.     "Shall I wear gloves or put the face-mask" will be legitimate questions before we go to conferences, conventions or even family gathering.

8.     Our travel plans for the next 12 months will turn upside down, the definition of “travelling back home” will be re-phrased; Home will be the place where you will be safe or at least think you are safe or able to get the proper medical treatment, secure the basic needs (food, medication).

9.     Finding a job in general or job shifting will be a tough call; it is very expected some companies will do cost reduction plans starting with pay cut, lower working hours or even layoff. No one will take the risk of leaving what he has in hand to get a better salary or a perceived better working condition when he can be terminated during the probation period!!

10. Our personal investment strategy will be revised to be focused on liquidity on the shorter run versus the profitability on the longer run. We will tend to keep liquid cash and not burden ourselves with heavy personal debts (real estate installments). We will care much about now rather than few years down the road.

Bottom line, we will be thankful to everyday we witness while we are capable of visiting a doctor, going to work, visiting family, welcoming visitors without being afraid of getting infected.

Moving from the personal impact, to the business impact, we can expect the following;

1.     Booming in the logistics, online business and e-commerce, online virtual training in general accompanied by the e-payment platform which will enable the settlements and clearing of payments with almost zero human interaction.

2.     The FMCG companies profitability will got improved considering the high demand over the detergents and cleaning suppliers.

3.     Food and beverage industry will continue to grow subject that they care much about how clean and diligent they are when it comes to customers health with more focus on the contact less piece of the business.

4.     Pharmaceutical industry will prosper even with or without COVID medication especially the OTC business (Vitamins, immunity boosters and Organic products).

5.     Airlines industry and relevant business (catering, ticketing and Hoteling) will be the most affected business; will take years to recover.

6.     Construction industry will take a hit as a normal result to the real estate business slow down with expected higher default rate on installments accompanied by delay in the delivery schedule.

Finally, I do believe countries will work together actively on how to coordinate the medical researches currently in progress on how to concur such and similar diseases under the umbrella of WHO.