How Have Developments in Communication Technologies Assist the Global Awareness and Response Efforts to the Recent Coronavirus
Introduction
Though many viruses have threatened the existence of the human race, none has been vigorous, like the current covid-19 virus. The epidemic not only causes bodily harm, but it also destroys the values, beliefs, and experiences of many people. Currently, many businesses and operations have been short-lived by the efforts to combat the virus. Since the 16th of March this year, the coronavirus has spread to many nations around the globe having various economic and social repercussions. The United Nations and other global organizations are calling upon world governments to contain this pernicious virus before it causes further destruction.
Interestingly, global communications have contributed significantly to slowing the onslaught of the covid-19 epidemic (Lin, Cheryl, et al.). Modern communication technologies, including social media, mass media, among others, are being used to communicate to the world about the viciousness of the epidemic and how to reduce and contain its spread. This means of communication have had observable impacts and has much-helped people to keep safe during these frustrating times. Given the velocity of the disease, it is worth analyzing how developments in communication technologies have assisted in promoting awareness and response efforts to the recent covid-19 epidemic. Thus, this study analyses how past outbreaks have been combated and compare it with how communication technologies are working in the current corona outbreak to help people better protect themselves.
Currently, there are many adverts in the newspapers, radio, TV magazines, and billboards that warn against the coronavirus. Most of the adverts document the ways that people could prevent the coronavirus from spreading to other regions. Specifically, the adverts emphasize people to sanitize now and then and to keep a one-meter distance as well as not to visit clouded spaces (Mejova, Yelena, and Kyriaki). Indeed such adverts have promoted safety in many regions in the world, including the rural areas. Such adverts are essential in this time since they offer guidelines on how to keep safe and protect oneself from acquiring the virus. Also, they help in combating the disease by emphasizing wearing face masks to prevent others from been infected (Prabakaran). These technologies were not available during the black plague, which killed a large portion of the population in Europe. People had no means to communicate effectively, and thus the diseases spread to many regions and destroyed a considerable part of the people (Schmid, Boris, et al.). With these technologies, information can be shared with fantastic speed.
The availability of various communication technologies is helping in many ways to combat the coronavirus. First, it is documenting the places that have been severely hit by the virus. Thus people are kept aware of the affected regions and thus prevent themselves from visiting these regions (Boulos, Maged, and Estella). Second, they document the number of people that have been affected and thus promote global awareness of the seriousness of the infection and the importance of following precaution measures. Third, the technologies spread information on the symptoms of the disease, letting people know how to diagnose the condition and identify an infected person. The infected can now visit the nearest medical institution to get tested and treated before the situation worsens. Receiving information about the symptoms also helps in quarantining the infected since people can spot the infected and report to the nearest institution.
Besides, receiving information about the people who have already recovered from the disease is also essential. It gives people hope that there is a chance of recovery and leading a healthy life. With the tension spread by the virus, people can make uninformed decisions like avoiding testing and escaping from medical institutions (Jin). Some believe that the government is killing those found infected to reduce the spread of the virus. However, with ample information about the treatment and recovery process, people get motivated to get tested and to join the war against the disease. Overall, communications technologies are playing a significant part in the eradication of the covid-19 virus (Merchant, Raina, and Nicole). One fantastic aspect of the communication systems is the speed that the information is passed. The data can reach people in their homes in a matter of minutes. Thus the people receive the information in time and have the opportunity to respond.
Among the various technologies are that are available, I believe social media and mass media are the best in communicating the atrocities of the covid-19 virus. Social media such as Facebook reaches millions of people all over the globe. Passing information through such channels makes sure that many people get vital information about the virus. They get to know how the virus is spread, its symptoms, and how to keep safe from the infection. It also offers a way to communicate with people in foreign counties. For instance, some countries have been put in lockdown (Khan, Naushad, and Mahnoor ). There is no means to travel and meet relatives in far countries; thus, social media offers a way to communicate with relatives and friends abroad. They share information about the virus and mark themselves from the coronavirus. Therefore this means of communication gives people hope and offers them a chance to meet relatives abroad and know whether they are safe and how they are operating. Social media also allows people to share ideas such as where to buy sanitizers and face masks. Such information is beneficial in this time and helps people keep motivated and safe from the infection.
Mass media is also reinforcing social media efforts to fight the disease. Those who have no access to social media can get details about the virus on TV and radio. For instance, the old and uneducated can receive the news via communication and in their language. The mass media is using many ways to capture the attention of its audience. Mass media is using adverts and various means of entertainment to send the precautionary measures against the disease. Specifically, there is music created to address the coronavirus. The lyrics of these music talk about the symptoms and ways of keeping safe from the virus. Indeed, such developments have aided in promoting awareness of the coronavirus. Apart from keeping safe, the developments provide a way to conduct business. Many people are using video conferencing to hold meetings, whether internationally or locally (Buheji, and Dunya 98). The media has also been used for advertising products and making transactions during this tempest time. The media has also been used as a way of making charitable donations to those in developing countries that have no means of handling the virus.
Conclusion
Many international organizations are hiring communication technology experts to help in the fight against the covid-19 virus. In ancient times, there were no developments in communication that would help share news about an epidemic. Thus the epidemics killed many people since they were unaware of the symptoms and prevention methods. In the current moment where are facing the covid-19 virus developments in communication technologies are playing a significant part in the fight against the virus. They are operating as communication channels to spread awareness of the diseases. They are also giving hope to the people that there is a chance for recovery and leading a healthy life. Most of all, the channel is serving as a way to conduct business and make transactions.
Works Cited
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