Beyond the human and personal tragedies, there is something confusing, even fascinating, about the times we are living with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through reports and official information, we can see that many of the precautionary and security measures taken in other times were clearly no longer in place in recent years. It would be rather indecent to look for culprits in the present circumstances if there is not one: the hunt for cost-cutting.
This cost-hunting has led to the reduction of reserves, reserves that have even been pooled in many cases, because it was thought that such a crisis would affect only a small number of people or countries.
In addition, all countries have put “eggs in the same basket” by sourcing from Asia to reduce loads. Far be it from us to criticize the countries that benefit from these gigantic orders because they have done as everyone else: business!
In many companies, cost-hunting has pushed logisticians and Facility Management people to “border on code” by extending depreciation, reducing spare parts, spacing maintenance, removing redundancies and other relief aggregates, etc.
Again, don’t try to shoot the ambulance: users have believed for too long that you can consume without paying or paying a minimum.
Let us not be cynically satisfied that would be misplaced in the present circumstances but let us nevertheless note that the good principles of foresight have often been flouted on the temple of profitability and reductions in expenses.
It is likely that some business models will be reviewed or modified in depth to reflect the consequences of this pandemic.
However, it will be necessary not to overreact and lose reason when moving the cursor in areas of overprotection. On the other hand, it is to be hoped that businesses and consumers will act quickly because time will be a danger: the human being has an extraordinary capacity for resilience, but he also has a knack for quickly forgetting his mistakes.
The future will tell us whether these very difficult times will bring new hope.
Take care