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(SARS-COV-2) FUTURE CHANGES IN THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND IN OUR LIVES

Without disregarding the dramatic consequences (loss of life, threat of economic downturn) of the coronavirus pandemic, it is quite interesting from the perspective of a neutral observer to look at the specifics of this crisis and what might happen the next day.

In the past, global crises, whether caused by wars, viruses, economic collapse, climate change or radical political ideas, have constantly changed the perspective in which humanity lived, accelerated historical developments and created a new reality, solved the problems of the past and looked to the future with a confident attitude full of promises that such problems would not reoccur. This promise has always influenced the development of the economy, of relations between people and also of international relations between countries.

The same will inevitably happen now, undoubtedly this global health crisis, a virus that appeared so suddenly in our lives and surprised us so much that our first international reaction, with few exceptions, was to withdraw, to close down every production process, to wait for the health community to find a specific pharmaceutical solution in response to this invisible enemy called COVID 19.

We are already seeing changes in the criticality of the situation, extreme changes which would in fact require years of consultation and discussion between the competent authorities within the framework of normality.

New IT technologies and advances are contributing to this new reality by helping the medical industry to solve this pandemic, faster than ever before, by using artificial intelligence and real-time data analysis tools from all parts of the world affected by the virus.

In Greece, for decades, the digitisation of government services and the management of bureaucracy was a social demand that was never resolved by the authorities. And yet, through its urgent need to find an immediate solution for the service to the citizens in the middle of quarantine within a few days, the government granted, through the following link https://www.gov.gr/ , the possibility to provide almost 520 public services electronically to the citizens of the state and more will follow in a short time, until the complete digitisation of all government services.

The technology of telematic applications and telecommunications contributes to informing each of us about the crucial issues of daily life, and also helps the remote working of many professionals, who nowadays can carry out their profession and offer their services from home using their PC, mobile phone or tablet. Children, pupils and students today are being taught from a distance with the same technological tools and applications. All that is needed is an Internet connection, a possibility that is available almost anywhere in the world, and perhaps in the near future it will be a human right and a need that can be met at minimal cost or free of charge.

Houses and buildings are becoming smarter and more energy efficient with new fiber optic technologies that allow users to control all the functions of the house from their mobile phones. Vehicles and factories are becoming increasingly environmentally friendly using new technologies. Energy production is changing through hydrocarbons, into alternative forms of green energy with a direct benefit for the health of all of us, but also for maintaining the climate at a level that is sustainable for human civilization.

This virus, which has infested the whole world, will bring about significant changes, whether not much more. The outbreak of the virus may not be our fault, but it is still our responsibility to deal with it, so that all changes will be beneficial for our common future. Countries should work together on a different level, with mutual exchange of vital information to deal jointly with similar global disasters and to pursue a global plan of action that allows solidarity between the weaker and the more powerful states of the planet.

We will all exit this crisis somewhat different, but we must not stop being human and strive daily for the common good, while at the same time achieving our personal goals.

It may be a bit difficult and strange to keep distance from each other, as doctors and scientists inform us. Not to hug our family members, not to shake hands with our partner or client in a professional agreement, or with a familiar face, but this should not scare us. We will not stop caring for our fellow human beings if we keep a short distance for health reasons, we will not stop loving our loved ones, nor will we stop being competent professionals and capable in our work because we have given up to welcome the other side. We must not forget that it can only be temporary.

There will always be radical developments and progress will never stop, but the real change is the way everyone adapts, how we deal with it and how we understand the problem that arises. It is therefore up to us to be pioneers and actively participate in the new technological revolution that is taking place.