Flattening the curve, sometimes referred to as ‘planking the curve’, refers to community isolation measures that keep the daily numbers of virus and disease cases at a manageable level for medical providers and their healthcare practitioners. We are currently in the midst of an unprecedented crisis on a global scale as a result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The current climate is not just a short term crisis but rather an ongoing challenge to protect our economy and health. “Flatten the Curve” is a saying most of us have heard over and over and over again as of late, and the only way to flatten said curve is through collective action. What does this look like? Isolation and Social Distancing. As we learn to adapt to these uncomfortable and challenging times, it is critically important for each of us to remain connected and productive. Video conferencing solutions are assisting us to manage in a variety of capacities. This post will highlight several examples of how conferencing solutions are helping to flatten the curve while keeping us connected.
Work Remotely
Most company leaders are focused on supporting their teams and sustaining business in the immediacy. For most small businesses, this pandemic has ultimately created a survival of the fittest mentality. This is causing many to rapidly adapt to new social norms which have ramifications to business practices and the way we conduct meetings, gatherings and collaboration. The use of digital and mobile technologies to support remote workers practicing social distancing is enabling employees to stay connected with their peers, while allowing businesses to continue to support their clients. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet are favorable and extremely competent software based platform solutions which are simple and easy for all to use – no matter, age, demographic and or location. Meanwhile, hardware manufacturers like Logitech have excellent solutions which allow video conferencing users to conduct professional meetings from the comfort of their own homes. These solutions include wireless headsets and HD webcams. Yeti, Yamaha, Rode and Jabra products cover the audio spectrum, by manufacturing products that enhance sound quality with their microphone devices that are catered to a budget-minded remote worker.
Thankfully, there are innumerable solutions and collaboration tools for businesses who need to continue to connect, communicate and share. There are many great ways to stay heard and seen regardless of work environment. Team meetings, webinars, and collaboration are all still possible despite working from one’s home office. The use of pro conferencing technology encourages better engagement and ensures morale and productivity levels remain high during these times of distance. Some pro video conferencing can accommodate hundreds and even thousands of meeting participants simultaneously. Screen sharing, interactive white boarding, AI transcriptions and meeting recordings are only a few of the additional features supported through these software conferencing platforms. We encourage all to start those meetings, and don’t stop!
Have you tried ‘virtual backgrounds’? This is a fun way to turn your bland home office surroundings into a fun, creative and personalized experience for your far end participants. It’s certainly good for some light-hearted fun and a laugh.
As more of us become conversant with remote conferencing technology, we will discover new creative means of being generative and efficient anywhere and anytime. There is no better time than now to empower remote team members and take the opportunity to become proficient with this available technology.
Connecting with Friends and Family
Prolonged isolation can leave us feeling alone, and has proven adverse effects on mental health. Video conferencing platforms such as Zoom are now being heavily used to enable friends and families to check in, share stories, play games and be face to face in real time. The added benefits of video allows one to feel human engagement, highlighting body language, tone and unique nuances of the individuals present.
Humans require connection and communication to survive; therefore we must adapt to the way we live and thrive in challenging times such as these. Together we can all still stay in touch, we just have to be a little creative about our approach.
Have you tried a ‘virtual happy hour’? If not, you really must. It’s a creative and fun way to connect with family, friends and even peers and colleagues that you may not have had a chance to get to know on a more personal level.
Telemedicine
As healthcare becomes more technology oriented, the medical industry including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and chiropractors in hospitals and clinics around the world are utilizing conferencing solutions to connect with patients. In order to decrease the amount of unnecessary exposure and risk in contracting COVID-19, while substantially minimizing avoidable hospitalizations and freeing up resources for those desperately in need, telemedicine (sometimes referred to as ‘telehealth’) has become critical.
The movement towards a more virtual medical system is inevitable and we have already begun to experience the many benefits over the past few years. The virtual platform enables practitioners to store patient records in the cloud, thus simultaneously supporting the environment and freeing up office space. Encourages global wide collaboration and training amongst health care professionals – this has become invaluable during the rapid viral spread and how to best contain it. Allows practitioners to check in and monitor hard-to reach or homebound patients for whom visiting a physician can be challenging, especially when being advised to social distance and isolate.
Healthcare providers are leveraging the power of video communications to link patients, physicians, and clinicians and extend the reach of healthcare. Shorter wait times and less travel as patients receive medical care are two major benefits. There is constant pressure to increase quality of patient care and the desire to provide new services, while at the same time controlling costs. Conferencing solutions, like Zoom and Teams, are not only assisting the medical industry to flatten the curve but to streamline and simplify the way we seek support and care from practitioners. Logitech has also been a proud and generous partner for healthcare providers in this time of need by utilizing inventory to prioritize this important movement.
Virtual Entertainment
As Joni Mitchell says “You don’t know what you got til it’s gone”. A huge loss we are all feeling during this time of distancing and isolation is the social aspect of our everyday lives fueling happiness and health. With all restaurants, bars, sporting arenas, museums, theatres and social events cancelled, postponed and/or closed, we are really starting to feel the separation. It is glaringly obvious that music, sports, art, entertainment and food really is the catalyst for bringing most of us together on a regular basis.
As a result there is a heavy reliance on entertainment that can be experienced while at home. There are many options to help distract, inform and ride out the isolation to help flatten that curve. Some of the world’s most famous institutions offer virtual museum tours, such as New York’s Guggenheim and Paris’s Musee D’Orsay. Google Arts & Culture curates multiple tours in one app, and allows virtual tours for historic sites and attractions around the world. Country singer Dolly Parton is reading bedtime stories to children. “Goodnight with Dolly” is a 10-week series where Dolly will read stories from the Imagination Library, and can be watched on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Many artists are helping us beat the isolation blues by performing digital concerts, enabling us to get an art and culture fix. Neil Young has announced an online concert series. iHeartRadio Living Room Concert series live streams musical performers such as Alicia Keys and Elton John to raise money for coronavirus responders. Meanwhile, a number of symphony and opera companies are also bringing digital performances to fans.
At a time when we must be flexible, adaptive, patient and creative, conferencing solutions are allowing us to continue to stay connected; be it with work, community, healthcare professionals or arts and entertainment. Together we can and will get through this. It’s important to remember this too will pass, and once we have come through the other side we will have learned invaluable lessons about what is possible to achieve.
As always, Limitless AV is here to support both businesses and individuals as we all navigate this together. Need advice on products or solutions? Maybe guidance on best practices while video conferencing from home? Or you might be looking for the latest tips and tricks that will keep you up to date? We’re here to help. Reach out to us and our team of experts will make sure that you are looked after and feeling confident, all while flattening the curve.
To all our valued clients, followers, friends and families, please do take care, stay safe and continue to be well.
