Getting out of COVID with Innovation

The world has been going through a very troubled period and everyone is waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel. The greatest role in getting out of the tunnel falls on innovation. One factor that alleviates the problem to a certain extent is that we are in an advanced state of technology compared to the earlier pandemics. This contributes to both medical solutions and to a degree, the normalization of life.

These types of crises also have an accelerating effect on innovation. The necessities and urgencies, speed up the mechanisms and implementation processes seriously, which move slowly under normal conditions. In such periods, countries like companies are loosening the bureaucratic barriers to innovation. Because time is of the essence and lost time means more losses in lives.

Another point observed in the COVID-19 pandemic is the increased support of the society for the sciences. A sensitivity has developed in the society regarding what might happen If we deviate from the path shown by science. On the other hand, this pandemic will leave a deep mark and many things will change, from business management to government administration, from health to education systems, to the way people view life and behavior. Inside this change, a window of opportunity will open to make things better.

Human health is of course at the forefront in innovations related to COVID. The COVID crisis develops in three phases. The first of these is the pandemic itself and the first blow it brought. The second is the actions taken against the epidemic and the second wave effect that these bring. Third is the long-term social results. In the first phase of the pandemic itself, innovations in disease fighting, medicine and vaccination, and the health system are at the forefront. In the second phase, that is, in the phase of actions against the epidemic, the health establishment and health workers, politics, companies and entrepreneurs and the media are in play. Here, an area of innovation emerged, from quick solutions for protective equipment to solutions for living with a curfew. In the third and long-term social outcomes phase, there is an area of innovation related to behavior change, values, and expectations. Of course, the biggest role in implementing changes falls to the states in this social phase.

When we look at in which categories innovation opportunities lie, medical innovations naturally come first. UV Disinfection Robots, 3D Printing of protective equipment should also be mentioned here. Telehealth is the second area of innovation. This includes remote diagnosis, follow-up and doctor interviews. Remote working is an area that exploded with this epidemic, although it has had an infrastructure for a long time. Here, the real innovation is creating a new working model using existing collaboration tools. Distance Education was also a small market for companies, but now a huge business. Spending Time at Home and Socializing at Home are areas where there are many opportunities. Home Delivery is also an enormously growing area of need.

We have to understand that this is a Breaking Point, a discontinuity. Therefore things will not be the same after this period passes. Crises always increase innovation. They accelerate emerging trends and and make them into mainstream trends. We may experience a state of suddenly finding ourselves in the future. Naturally, it will be the innovative companies which wins here.