How the Economy Might Change After COVID-19?

The business world and the economy are changing by the minute, perhaps by the second, as stock markets bounce and economic animal spirits come back to haunt the bull market. Market chaos seems to feel like the new "normal". As novel measures are enacted to create greater pressure to adapt telecommuting, online education and online shopping we may want to consider economic options to encourage rational optimism for when the crisis is over.  The COVID-19 and social distancing policies may have inadvertently lead us to the door of the Information Age, Big Data and the Digital Economy. As pressure mounts on existing structures our economic system might just tip toward the virtual and that in turn could alter some of our basic assumptions. New assumptions sometimes make older economic models obsolete and leaves the field open to new models. Lets look at a few ways the digital economy could impact us......

First lets us say that some level of evolutionary economics is going to occur. This means that the environment has fundamentally changed but our structures are functioning properly so they will adjust to meet the new environment (A little bumpy ride). Because we are testing and putting pressures on these new structures they will adapt along with the companies that use them. There are times when chaos (Chaos Theory) leads to new ways of doing things based on shifted underlining structures....
         

• Telecommuting: More companies are now going on line and the Internet is working as it should. As many of these companies go online (Wondering what the economists come up with?) many will decide they would rather hedge their new methods and stay as virtual as possible. From a national standpoint 10-20% increase in online workdays fundamentally changes the basis of our economic assumptions. We would be in uncharted territory! Growth in telecommuting jobs 159% in 12 years. https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/flexjobs-gwa-report-remote-growth/
• Increase e-Commerce: Downloaded Apps and online shopping will encourage more virtual shopping and less drives out to large retail outlets. Amazon is planning on hiring 100 K new workers. Walmart may might want to push online sales more heavily. https://www.foxnews.com/us/amazon-hire-workers-coronavirus https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walmart-to-hire-150000-people-amid-coronavirus-002023425.html
• Big Data: As more company and people transition to online life we often find increased data. That much data will change what we know about each other and business. Here is an article on $4.7 billion the data is worth to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. https://dailyscience.me/2020/03/16/big-data-in-the-healthcare-pharmaceutical-industry-2018-2030-opportunities-challenges-strategies-forecasts/
• Neighborhood Redesign: Health, "walk/bike-ability", local boutique stores, local court yards, and local fitness allows a sense of community and for "hunker-in-place zones" without seriously disrupting "normal" life. You can read a little more on sustainable cities of the future. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314259748_Smart_Sustainable_Cities_of_the_Future_An_Extensive_Interdisciplinary_Literature_Review
• Government Services will go Online: More government services will go online. For example, State of Michigan announced people can file unemployment at MI Works online instead of coming in person. https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/03/michigan-unemployment-benefit-claims-should-be-filed-online-state-says.html
• The rise of AI and Robots: Our technology is now touching upon advance technologies that will make their way into our daily lives. From home deliveries through drones, driverless cars, increased traffic rerouting, cleaning robots, and much much more. You might want to look at what Forbes is doing to highlight changes through the Forbes AI List. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2020/03/17/is-your-company-using-artificial-intelligence-to-transform-an-industry-nominations-for-the-forbes-2020-ai-50-list-are-now-open/#2ef209e63bf2
• Economic Fundamentals and Digit GDP: The economic fundamentals will change and Digital GDP will becoming increasingly important. There will be a shift in thinking globally when it comes to online data. You can read more about its rise above wholesale goods here https://www.ntia.doc.gov/blog/2019/digital-economy-accounted-69-percent-gdp-2017
• Online Education: Online education has grown and has a small cottage presence in most state universities. Sending students home means a quick development of capacity and not all students will return back to campus. You can see some of the trending growth prior to COVID-19. https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2018/11/07/new-data-online-enrollments-grow-and-share-overall-enrollment
• Environmental Concerns: Our environment will become increasingly important to people and governments. The fight against COVID-19 impacts the way we view the global economy and its impact on the environment for all of us. You can read about U.N. Climate Change initiatives. 

While we might not be able to control the "uncontrollable" but we ARE able to control how we deal with it. "We can't control the winds but we can adjust our sails" Finding our bearings, plotting a novel course and giving others a point of sale raises our pride. I wonder which country will make it through the transition first? Crack of sails nods destiny.

This article is part of context for research on Transactional Economic Clusters that may (or not 😣) contribute to a body of knowledge on viable economic models. You can read more about it HERE.



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Scientists Can Submit COVID-19 Papers to World Health Organization (WHO) Database

The World Health Organization (WHO) created a database that researchers that can upload papers, partial papers, and pre-print papers for other scientists to read and explore solutions. In crisis situations it is important to open the lines of communication to fellow scientists on a global scale in an effort to gain a broad understanding quickly.

As of yet no one has a solution but encouraging people who studied similar phenomenon to upload their papers goes a long way (for successful and unsuccessful studies). It is an attempt to collect all current peer-reviewed studies on COVID-19 and make them searchable.

Science can sometimes be chaotic and at times researchers explore hunches to find new connections that lead to solutions. The good news is that the database seems to have enough capabilities to be useful and lead to categorization of information. Categories with lots of data allow for us to think along the lines of variables and testing.

More impressive is that scientists are throwing their work up their with little or no concern for copy-write issues! If you know scientists and professors they are somewhat secretive of their ground breaking work. In this case they are pulling together to get the job done as a scientific community!

Within a short time span they created a budding body of knowledge.

There may be a few biologists, researchers and others that may have something to contribute. Here is the WHO site.....

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/global-research-on-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov

Lap Swimming Pool Closed? Jump into the Deep Blue!

Body Glove summer suit and quick dry shoes.

The pools are closed and you feel lost because your normal appetite for lap swimming isn't quenched (Yes...it can get addicting!). Hot showers, tip toe warm pools, time clocks in every direction, and modern poolside conveniences like towel service are for the socially conscious swimmer. Outdoor swimming and all its panoramic view is for adventurists who likes rugged inconveniences! Go the "old fashion" way...the way great grandpa and grandma did it! Go jump in a lake!

After the first 30 seconds of agonizing "wake up" shocks as your body plunges into the deep blue you will come to realize how spoiled you were back at the "spa"!  Maybe you will also come to gain a greater sense of how important it is now and in the future to protect our environment.

We probably don't need to discuss much about the health benefits of lap swimming because if you are reading this you likely found it by key words. In short, swimming is one of  the best sports one could engage in for overall health. It impacts your entire body, improves your cardiovascular system and shreds fat! Moving on......

Swimming outdoor burns even more calories! It not only requires a higher level of effort dealing with bouncing waves and pulling currents but also pushes you to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. Likewise because you are maintaining your core temperature in cold water (I mean very cold water!😬) your body will burn additional calories!

While doing a rustic plunge has its advantages for health and aesthetic sights there are some precautions you should take before going natural with your workouts. This is even more important with people who are not accustomed to being outdoors and the fickle personality of Mother Nature. Swim with either a wet suit or a flotation device until you get familiar with your own abilities and your new swimming grounds. I once saw a surfer get swept back out by a rip tide he was crossing over. Fortunately, he was a strong swimmer and knew what he was doing but you may not.

Be safe out there......

CDC Announces Chart For People To Determine Cold or COVID-19

You have the sniffles and you wonder if you have the COVID-19. Not all of us really know so following the chart helps us sort it out. When you first notice you are getting a fever and coughing a lot you may want to don a mask. They are only about 70% effective but using masks to cover your mouth if your in public can go a long way. No one needs 40 large packs of masks. You can reuse them for the most part until they break. Being a "hoarder" is going to cause more harm than good. Save masks for people who have colds and those who have to work with the elderly.

President Donald Trump Declares an National Emergency COVID-19

President Trump announced emergency measures designed to improve response effectiveness, new temporary powers HHS, additional resources, and maximum flexibility. Encouraging telehealth, speeding up testing, FDA streamlining, new tests, better information, etc... You can listen/watch to  below...
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates by LARA and Governor Whitmer

03/12/2020 State Recommendations & COVID-19 Response Update

Dear Licensees & Stakeholders: Thank you for being a valuable partner in our efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Following the announcement of the state’s first presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are providing recommendations designed to help prevent the spread of the virus. These recommendations apply at the individual, organizational, and community levels. They apply to businesses, workplaces, schools, community organizations, health care institutions, and individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and health profiles; everyone has an important role to play. Please take a moment to review the Interim Recommendations to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 (March 11, 2020). Information about this outbreak is changing rapidly. You can stay informed by regularly visiting Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. Sincerely, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

 03/11/20 LARA Notice on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is providing the following information as it relates to the state’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) preparedness and response.  Please feel free to share this communication with your colleagues and contacts:

As you know, a global outbreak of a respiratory disease named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in China in late 2019. The virus has been detected in more than 90 countries, including the U.S. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan. However, the situation is rapidly evolving and it is likely we will see more cases across the U.S.

The State of Michigan has been working with federal and local partners to monitor the situation, develop and expand laboratory testing, educate and raise awareness, and prepare for COVID-19 in Michigan.

• On February 3, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) activated the Community Health Emergency Coordination Center (CHECC) to support state and local response.
• On February 28, Governor Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to coordinate state government resources.
• On March 3, Governor Whitmer announced the creation of four task forces to combat the spread of coronavirus and assess the impact it may have on Michiganders’ day-to-day lives.

Today, the overall threat to the general public and in the U.S. remains low, but we are approaching this emerging threat to public health with an abundance of caution. As our partner, we want you to have appropriate information on what individuals can do to protect themselves.

Use good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.

• Stay home if you are sick, and advise others to do the same.
• Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and warm water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).

It’s not too late to get your flu shot! While the influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 infection, it can help keep you healthy during the flu season.

Review travel advisories before planning travel.

Always review travel advisories from the federal government when planning personal and business travel. Review CDC.gov/Travel for destinations with risk of community spread of COVID-19

Take action to prepare your organization.

Community spread of COVID-19 in Michigan could impact routines and daily operations. Employers should consider creating or updating their infectious disease outbreak response plan including:

• Identify work-related exposure and health risks to employees.
• Review human resources policies to make sure policies and practices are consistent with public health recommendations.
• Explore policies and practices for flexible worksites or hours to increase physical distance between employees.
• Identify essential business functions to maintain operations if interruptions to supply chains or increased absenteeism occur.

The CDC has provided guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in communities including businesses, community- and faith-based organizations, and childcare organizations and schools.

Share accurate information.

Always share accurate information about a virus and how it spreads. It is important to remember that stigma and discrimination occur when people associate an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality. COVID-19 does not target people from specific populations, ethnicities or racial background. Suspected discrimination can be reported to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

LARA’s scheduled meetings and hearings will proceed as scheduled. Check our website regularly for updates in the event that board meetings, work group meetings, or case hearings are changed or rescheduled based on new developments.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest information frequently visit, Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or CDC.gov/Coronavirus

Sincerely,

Linda Clegg, Interim Director
Corporations, Securities, and Commercial Licensing Bureau

Video of Jumping Seals

A sign of improved ecosystem health is its wildlife diversity. It looks a group is training seals. Kind of cool to watch!