The coronavirus disease that had greatly affected the world’s economy to this date is a highly infectious disease that spreads quite rapidly. This type of virus, which are positive single-stranded large RNA viruses, had evolved from infecting animals to infecting humans. Originated in Huanan seafood market in Wuhan in the province of Hubei of China, the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 which was shortened to COVID-19 had spread to several nations worldwide. The most common symptoms of the patients that accumulated the virus are fever, dry cough and fatigue. The Covid-19 disease is considered severe and in need of urgent care when the symptoms include shortness of breath, loss of appetite, confusion, pain or pressure in the chest and a high temperature above 38 °C, according to the World Health Organization (2021). [1] The pandemic had exposed the world to great challenges to make proper adjustments for the sake of preventing its contamination to the great population. Almost every industry is mandated to provide precautionary measures for their employees just to keep their business going. They are also giving extra services and assistance to the people during this time of uncertainty.
The past months has been an unexpected time of difficulties that had brought great impact to individuals, organizations, companies and other industries. However, as time passes by, these industries had to adapt and implement new strategies that would give their costumers assurance of safety and their own. They were able to formulate ‘new normal’ techniques and strategies that would keep their businesses going.
Music Industries
One of these industries that had shown great creativity is the music industry. The music industry has been greatly affected by the outbreak as the cancellation of concerts, music festivals and live performance events had a massive negative effect on the revenues which had become the greatest casualty for the industry. These live events were cancelled due to the social distancing measures to reduce the rapid spreading of the coronavirus. According to the article by Hall (2020), a shutdown had cost the worldwide industry of approximately more than $10 Billion dollars in sponsorships for the past six months. [2] Also, physical sales of albums have decreased by one-third, which was expected due to the lockdowns in cities and shutdowns of physical stores.
The situation had not only affected the performers and artists, but also their fans as well. Fans had been anticipating to watch their live shows, even wait for months or years to get to attend their idols’ concerts in their own countries. Not only the performers, but their fans too and those fond of going to live music events were gravely disappointed to what the pandemic had cost them. Live Nation and Ticketmaster had collaborated to conduct a survey on the statistics of how the pandemic affected live music goers. About 91% of live music goers worldwide are confident in the return of the artists’ cancelled concerts, with a ratio of 9 out of 10 ticket holders still planning to attend their live shows. Moreover, results show that 81% of the respondents truly miss the excitement of attending live events. [3]
Lane stated in her article (2020) that the music industry has found new methods to fight back and recover from the loss of revenue and bring back a familiar at the same time different music experience to fans. [4] People now depend on using digital music platforms to stream their favorite artists’ music. Streaming has been essential in the revenues since it has grown from 9% to 47% in only six years. Music agencies had discovered using online platforms to hold music events like online concerts with fans needing to buy online tickets to support their artists. This has brought joy to both the artists and their fans. Some artists including Chris Martin, John Legend and Gavin Rossdale had conducted concerts via live streaming and used the live feature of Instagram to entertain their fans with free shows. They also upload performances on Youtube to promote their songs and feed their fans that have been deprived of seeing them perform live. There are even online charity concerts being held, or “concerts for a cause” where the proceeds from their number of views or ticket sold are to be given to those in need. Music is a language of emotion that portrays different unspoken feelings and barge into the soul with no limitations. There are times when people are challenged by the thought of no one understanding them, and thus music has been a great factor of comfort, especially during difficult times.
Bighit Label’s New Year’s Eve Live Concert. HYBE Corporation, formerly known as Bighit Labels, held a family concert which included most of its artist last December 31, 2020. This was announced on Weverse, an application which serves as a platform for the fans’ communities. The label uses this application to let their artist connect with their fans more, as they can post anything and can reply with each other, making both artists and fans happy with their interactions. This concert was held at KINTEX Exhibition Center in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea which was live streamed for fans all over the world to watch. It was noted that the activities of the artists and staff of the event were under the guidance and followed the protocols of their government in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Tan further stated in her article (2020) that the line-up for the virtual concert included BTS, Tomorrow by Together, ENHYPEN, NU’EST, Lee Hyun and Bumzu. Days later the first announcements of the line-up, the label also announced special stages for Halsey, Lauv and Steve Aoki. [5]
HYBE Corporation stepped up the online concert experience by adding multi-views and online meet-and-greets to give fans a better concert experience at their homes. Moreover, Bighit Label’s artists themselves have helped vulnerable people in this pandemic like how BTS had supported Crew Nation’s campaign and donated $1 million to charity supporting live concert crews and staffs, reported in the article by Press Trust of India (2020). [6]
88Rising DOUBLE HAPPINESS Winter Festival. 88Rising, an American mass media company had announced a free global music festival to be streamed via EASTERN STANDARD TIME, a concert platform that allows fans experience the music festival in real-time in their own homes. DOULBLE HAPPINESS Winter music festival had presented great Asian acts worldwide. Replays of the performances will also be given for free via Youtube. The festival was held last December 2, 2020 and presented over 30 acts with performances spanning from Vietnam, South Korea, Philippines, the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia. This has also given opportunities to performers to expose their music worldwide, as this music festival had showcased “the world’s best Asian talent in a digital sphere while celebrating Asian unique heritages and talent worldwide,” written by LorraineYe in her article (2020). [7]
Food Industries
Another industry that had undergone great adjustments is the food industry. Due to the challenges brought by COVID-19, there has been about the process of food production, with its distribution and demand. From the research conducted by Aday (2020), the outbreak of the disease had caused restriction of workers, shutdown of food production facilities, restaurants and stores, limitations on food trade, and changes in consumers demand. [8] Many had lost their jobs due to the situation and workers such as small farmers are in need of financial assistance.
To be able to improve and cope up what has been affected by the pandemic and to benefit everyone, including workers and consumers, the food industry had changed their working conditions while simultaneously maintaining the health and safety of the employees by providing and modifying safety measures. Numerous restaurants and food chains are restricting customers from dining in due to the social distancing policy and prevention of mass gathering of people. Due to this, take-out or take-home practices and deliveries have surged, as mentioned in the article by Lane (2020). [4] An example of such practice is how a person can order via phone messages or online applications to go to the store or restaurant to pick up their meals, which are handed by employees who are well-trained with extra safety measures.
Food delivery services had surged which relied heavily on ordering through online applications to minimize exposure to personal contact or interaction. Many restaurants, food chains and food stalls had adapted to these services and provided job opportunities such as food delivery drivers. Little do others know how these delivery services did not only benefit to the safety measures of the general public to stay at home, but also helped those who had financial struggles during the new normal where many had lost their work from other industries.
Jollibee Provides ‘Cloud Kitchens’. One of the examples of services provided is the building of ‘cloud kitchens’ by Jollibee, a Filipino fast food chain, to balance out the struggles within the pandemic. A Nikkei staff writer, Cliff Venzon, wrote in his article that the food chain company was said to spend Php 7 billion or approximately $138 million to build these ‘cloud kitchens’, which are unmarked delivery outlets, and to provide a stronger delivery services. These outlets do not include facilities for dine-in services for the safety of the customers, and it are located in discreet, low rent sites. They also decided that there will be closures of their food branches that are weak in performance and have to put more of their investment in digital infrastructure. Jollibee also announced that they are improving their online order and payment methods including delivery services. [9] With these schemes, job opportunities would still be provided, the customers would still enjoy the food, and at the same time safety measures against COVID-19 are practiced.
Nestlé’s Response to COVID-19. Nestlé is the world’s biggest company for food and beverages. Posted in their official website are statements on how they focused on continuing to take advantage of their size and scale to support communities all over the world. They ensure to meet the nutritional necessities of families during this uncertain time of difficulty. The food company had donated a total of CHF 90 million, both in financial and in-kind, to more than fifty nations. Their initial actions target in providing support to healthcare systems along with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). They offered more help and services as they continued to respond to hunger and poverty with the European Federation of Food Banks. Nestlé also had contributed to delivering vaccines against the coronavirus since the beginning of April 2021.
With regards to employees, the company provided generous sick leave arrangements for those who got in contact with the virus, offered cash loans for those having financial struggles, and gave free meals and transport to workers in factories and distribution centers to help lessen the risk of contact with the virus. [10]
Oil Industries
One last example of the industry that had brought additional services to provide to communities is the oil industry. There have been concerns on its operation as they race to protect their employees. Moreover, companies strives to ensure the continuity and stability of their operations despite a huge drop in the forecast of the capital expenditure. This sector has to adjust and provide extra assistance and services to help both the industry and consumers. According to Corrigan (2020), priorities should include the following: health, safety and productivity to sustain the delivery of their service during the outbreak; careful management of supply chains due to restrictions; cutting off of producer/consumer spending; and balancing of capacity of staff with alterations in the workforce. [11]
Shell’s Contributions. One company under this industry that had provided great service to the people is Shell. According to its official website, the coronavirus pandemic continues to have a great impact on people’s livelihood and the company has been working hard in assisting in the global fight against the COVID-19, and to support efforts on the recovery of the communities.
Stated in Daly’s article (2021), Shell has donated $10 million to COVAX to support the global aim to make vaccines against the coronavirus be more widely available. COVAX is a shortened term for COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access founded by the Vaccine Alliance; the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). One of its objectives is to provide vaccines against the coronavirus for free to at least twenty percent of the populations of the poorest nations of the world. The target of this project is to be done by the end of 2021 and the country of Ghana was the first countries to be provided in February. [12]
Other generous services Shell has offered was free fuel for the vehicles from Hyundai Motor Company in Mexico City who provided these vehicles for about one hundred doctors and other frontliners in the medical field. These vehicles are for their everyday transportation for about five weeks to a temporary medical center for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Shell also provided foods and drinks to the medical staff. Moreover, Shell has donated alcohol and disinfectant wipes for hospitals and other medical centers.
In addition to these services, Shell TapUp which is a mobile fuel service company, has offered to supply fuel to charities that provide food to people, such as Meals in Wheels. [13]
Petron fuels fight against COVID-19. Petron, a large oil refining company, worked with government agencies in providing services for workers and communities most affected by the pandemic. They firmly promised a sufficient supply of fuel to their valuable costumers while making their employees and facilities safe. They also donated Php 1 million to support the PVC donation drive and provided free fuels for free transportation of frontliners and medical staff. [14]
Conclusion
Despite all the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic had brought to everyone worldwide, people learned to adjust and adapt to do whatever it takes to improve their livelihoods. These adjustments would not be possible without the services offered by different facilities and industries, as every single individual, organization, and company are striving to help each other out. The industries had made major adjustments and provided services that would benefit both them and their consumers. Music industries provided virtual concerts and even online concerts for charity. Food industries improved their delivery services. Oil industries had donated fuel for transportation of medical staff and services. These are only a few examples of what industries had contributed in fighting the pandemic.
References
[1] WHO COVID-19 IPC Global Expert Panel. (2020). Clinical Management of COVID-19.
World Health Organization.
[2] Hall, S. (2020). This is how COVID-19 is affecting the music industry. World Economic
Forum.
[3] Live Nation and Ticket Master. (2020). COVID-19 IMPACT FROM LIVE MUSIC FANS
[4] Lane, Rachel. (2020). How Industries Around the World are Adapting to COVID-19. iGrad.
[5] Tan, V. (2020). Weverse to hold New Year’s Eve Live Concert featuring Bighit Label’s Artists
– BTS, TXT, GFRIEND, ENHYPEN, and more. Bandwagon News.
[6] Press Trust of India. (2020). Coronavirus Outbreak: BTS, Big Hit Entertainment donates $1 mn
to charity supporting live concert crew.
[7] LorraineYe. (2020). ATEEZ & Kim Chung Ha To Perform at 88rising's 'DOUBLE HAPPINESS
Global Holiday Festival'. Allkpop.
[8] Aday, S. and Aday, M. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on the food supply chain. Oxford
Academic.
[9] Venzon, C. (2020). Jollibee to build 'cloud kitchens' to offset coronavirus pain. Nikkei Asia.
[10] Nestlé editors. (2021). Our response to COVID-19. Nestlé Official Website.
Retrieved from: https://www.nestle.com/aboutus/our-response-covid-19-coronavirus
[11] Corrigan, J. (2020). COVID-19 and the oil price collapse: The impact on oilfield services.
PWC, United States.
[12] Daly, C. (2021). COVID-19: Shell donates $10 million to COVAX. Shell Official Website.
[13] Shell Website Editors. (2021). SHELL’S CONTRIBUTIONS AROUND THE WORLD. Shell
Official Website. Retrieved from: https://www.shell.com/covid19/shell-contributions-
around-the-world.html
[14] Petron Website Editors. (2020). Petron fuels fight against COVID-19. Petron Official
Website.
