Although people have entered into the post-covid-19 scenario, nobody has forgotten the impact of COVID-19 disease on human lives. Almost every country across the globe declared a state of health emergency. In March 2020, international organizations announced the rapid spread of the disease and termed it a pandemic. In this scenario, countries planned their response actions and preparatory strategies to counter the global pandemic spread.
International health organizations explained that the pandemic resulting from coronavirus was a new incident for human beings. The disease is the first pandemic resulting from coronavirus. Therefore, every individual and every sector was affected in different ways.
The global pandemic affected every sector of the economy, which introduced challenges in the lives of human beings. The number of cases increased in leaps and bounds, causing tremendous challenges for the health sector. In such a scenario, the economy went into a doldrum.
International organizations’ response plans and strategic preparedness had much to do with the economy’s response. The program covered information about the virus with the pace of transmission and information regarding strategic action, which may guide every international and national agency in developing a regional and national operational plan. In the post-pandemic scenario, a lot of steps become mandatory, and it got framed in the following points:
- Risk communication
- Planning, coordination, and monitoring at the national level
- Quick response, surveillance, and case investigation
- National preparedness for countering the issue
- Control and prevention of infection
- Situation management
- Logistics and operational support
As per recent voting by MyBioSource, around 33% of people in Texas approve the Covid protocol.
- Changes brought about in the supply chain
Now coming specifically to the economic sector, you must know that the food supply chain gets divided into several stages, which include agricultural production, processing, post-harvest handling, consumption, and distribution. Two systems help in this supply chain for food safety and quality. The first depends on laws and regulations, which use mandatory standards inspected by higher authorities. The second relies upon voluntary standards defined by the International Association and market laws. These rules and regulations provide health standards, personal hygiene, safe handling, and maintenance. Protective measures are significant since individuals may be affected when they move towards the later stages. Safety measures become necessary to ensure that the food flow in the market continues at a decent rate.
Unlike mouth and foot disease, the covid-19 pandemic has no direct impact on production. It spreads through communication. Governments across the globe have initiated significant restrictions in different sectors like transportation, maintenance, and overall handling. Reports reveal that proper monitoring of vehicles for food distribution is underway. In underdeveloped and developing countries, temporary and seasonal employment is typical. Especially when it comes to sorting, planting, processing, harvesting, or transporting crops, seasonal work comes into the picture.
As a result, the supply chain is affected by the lack of migrant or local workers due to the lockdown. It has further weakened the production ability, and thus food safety is at stake. It is here that national and international organizations have come forward to provide measures to ensure food safety and the safety of human beings in the long run. Whether it is horticulture, livestock production, harvesting, or plantation, safety measures have become a part of the entire scenario.
- Effect of coronavirus on consumer behavior
When discussing the issue of the COVID-19 pandemic, its effect on consumer behavior stands significant. Remember that the post-covid-19 scenario depends a lot on the way people behave. If citizens are not cautious of the safety measures, the demographic situation might take a severe turn. In addition, people have to think about their money expenditure and food storage like never before.
The covid-19 outbreak halted the routine and resulted in loneliness and boredom, bringing in irregular physical activity and improper diet. In addition, stress and anxiety become distinct parts of human life. Since people were taking carbohydrate-rich food items, it was affecting their health in the long run. As a result, the post-pandemic scenario must be treated as a way toward healthy living. For this, developing healthy lifestyle habits is necessary, so chronic inflammation does not affect human beings in the long run.
People have realized that the situation is critical, and essential steps can save the world from any food emergency as such efforts from people and government can help to nullify the adverse effects of Covid on the food chain.
People must take these steps positively, whether it is the closure of restaurants, limited services, lockdown, or quarantine measures. Reports reveal that purchasing food items from supermarkets and utilizing food services has decreased by 50%. Moreover, the number of visits to the food store also reduced when people started spending money on health, not luxury.
Consumer behavior has thereby shown a different type of story. In such a scenario, people considered their safety and security above their luxury.
