Communication in the time of Covid

Covid-19, the dreaded pandemic that the entire world is battling against today, was an unprecedented event of human history. It not only turned our world upside down but also forced us to alter our priorities to a great extent. It has brought about radical changes in our lives. Our approach towards life has also undergone a transformation in the face of such a global emergency. Communication, which lies at the core of human existence and interaction, has also been reshaped at multiple levels.

The sector of business and economy has been exposed to rapid changes due to Covid-19. With the GDP showing a continuous decline, a considerable portion of the workforce has been compelled to change their industries to survive through the economic crisis. The companies are forced to cut short their number of employees in the face of reduced revenue for lack of business. 

In this situation of flux, companies need to maintain cordial relationships through proper channels of communication with their customers, employees, and stakeholders; all of whom are essential for the business to thrive. Online meetings, video conferences are the only modes of communication between the companies and their employees who have been sanctioned to work from home. 

The entertainment world of movies and web-series has churned out multifarious ways to keep its audience entertained during such unnerving times. From shooting indoors to conducting online interviews and webinars with celebrities, the entertainment industry is keeping no stones unturned to keep their audiences hooked and maintain regular communication with them. The universe of glamour and glitz have chosen multiple OTT platforms to showcase their creative endeavours and attract audience attention.

Education is another sector that is seeing an immense shift in its paradigms. From classroom-based face-to-face classes, students are being trained to attend online classes hosted by the latest technologies. All instructions from educational institutions are being communicated to students and parents through online channels, mainly: video calls and online messaging services. Students are experiencing a massive metamorphosis of the educational materials and the way the different lessons are being conducted online.

Gestures have always been categorised as one of the effective and most used modes of human expressions. However, this omnipresent virus has led people to shift from their traditional and popular modes of expression, like – shaking hands, giving a hug, etc. to more restrained forms of communication. We are being instructed to maintain social distancing in order to curb the increasing number of patients suffering. This leaves no room for physical proximity to be present. 

Lastly, with the number of vehicles been lessened on the roads due to the repeated seasons of severe lockdown, Mother Nature is able to showcase her truest beauty. The smoke-less bluish sky, the cool breeze, the lush greenery, the calmer atmosphere came into existence every time states decided to shut down. It seemed as if Nature communicated to us, her fellow earth-dwellers, in her typically natural way, which is motherly and tenderly nuanced.