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The Pandemic One Year Later: What We Have Learned So Far

Written by: Aiya Rodjel

It’s been a year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the presence of a global pandemic. Needless to say, things have never been the same. Indeed, there is a great demand for fiber connection, a reliable and fast internet, since most things are now online.

 

To this day, the Philippines has been under various degrees of community quarantine. Because of this, students nationwide have to shift to blended learning. Also, a good number of the country’s workforce work from home. Truly, people have been sheltering-in-place as much as possible. 

 

However, the ongoing pandemic did give rise to some unexpected, positive byproducts. For instance, McKinsey & Company research shows that the pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of companies by 3-4 years. Certainly, technology paved the way for people to stay productive and connected amidst the ongoing crisis. It has helped people to provide food on their tables amid job insecurity and rising costs of basic necessities. 

 

The Rise of Online Shopping

 

According to online shopping platform Zalora CEO Paul Campos III, 91% of Filipino internet users searched for goods and services to buy amid the quarantine period. Further, 76% of these people ended up buying through their online searches. Primarily, this is because Filipinos had limited mobility due to community quarantines.

 

As we all know, during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), everyone was mandated to stay at home. Basically, only one person from each household can leave their homes for essential purposes. Thus, a lot of people turned to online shopping. Even when the government imposed less strict quarantine protocols, a lot of people remained to do their shopping online.  

 

Because of the sudden popularity of online shopping, a lot of businesses had to recalibrate their business models as well. Indeed, a lot of brands opened their own websites. Even some companies started offering new products or services to address the wants and needs of the market. 

 

Also, there was a sudden rise of new online businesses. In fact, online selling provided a means for a lot of people to make ends meet. Really, this applies especially to those whose jobs were affected by the quarantine. 

 

Basically, most, if not all marketing plans made at the start of 2020 were chucked out of the window. Companies had to pivot to stay afloat amid the pandemic. New businesses emerged. Going digital became a necessity for companies to connect with their audience. Further, it gave them the opportunity to recruit new customers. In the fight to remain operational, the internet became a must-have tool for most businesses. 

 

Cashless Transactions

 

Similarly, with the increasing popularity of shopping online came the proliferation of cashless transactions. Per international payments firm PayPal, 9 out of 10 Filipino users of electronic payment systems prefer making cashless transfers. This is due to public health considerations, and of course, convenience and practicality.

 

Accordingly, a lot of online shopping platforms opened various options for payment as well. This is to make every shopping experience more convenient and accessible. After all, not everyone has a credit card. In fact, majority of Pinoys don’t even have bank accounts. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), only 29% of Filipino adults have bank accounts as of 2019.

 

Working From Home as the Status Quo

 

As mandated by the government, most of the Filipino workforce had to pivot to a work-from-home setup. Thus, companies had to equip their employees with the necessary tools to stay productive. At the same time, they ensured that all their data were safe and secured. Thus, having good and maximized internet connection became a must-have for most employees. 

 

Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google meetings became a normal part of the typical employee’s routine. Likewise, a lot of work-teams have turned to using messaging apps more to keep in touch. Now, people became more reliant on technology than ever before. Having strong and stable internet could make or break one’s productivity levels. 

 

A year later, the government has slowly allowed more people to return to working in the office. However, a lot of companies have decided that their workforce should still work from home. This is to ensure their people’s safety, and lessen foot traffic in their respective offices. 

 

Learning at Home

 

In the same way, since the onset of the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) mandated children to study at home. Hence, students with the capability to do so turned to online learning to continue their studies. On the contrary, those who are not equipped with the necessary devises had to use other means. Such include radio and print handouts.

 

Truly, the internet has been the main platform for children to pursue their studies, as well as keep in touch with their friends. Similarly, it has provided the means for students to stay in touch with their teachers and other educators. Further, it has even bridged children who are not allowed to see each other. Clearly, it has been very helpful as minors are restricted from leaving the house. The web has also provided some much-needed entertainment as they’re not allowed to play with other kids. 

 

The Power of Fiber Connection

 

Absolutely, having fast and stable internet connection at home has always been a necessity for Pinoys. However, the ongoing pandemic magnified its importance even more. Through the net, people can stay in touch, shop, study, work, and even entertain themselves. That is why it is important for Filipinos to subscribe to unlimited fiber connection.

 

Hooray! A great provider of unlimited fiber internet in the country is Streamtech. It is one of the Philippines’ newest waves in fiber connection. Streamtech offers products and services to help Filipinos stay connected and productive amid the pandemic, and beyond.

 

In addition to unlimited fiber internet and cable TV bundles, Streamtech also upgrades homes with high-quality products tailor fit to their needs. This is through products such as wifi extendersgaming kitsvlogging kits, and digital class bundles. Now more than ever, meeting your needs through having a reliable internet service provider in the Philippines is not just a luxury. That’s why it is a wise choice for Filipinos to switch to Streamtech today.

To know more of how you can get better connectivity, visit its Official Facebook Page.

Categories
News Trends

Access These Best Credible Sources of COVID-19 Updates

Written by: Aiya Rodjel

High-speed fiber internet is significant nowadays, not only in adapting to the trend of smart homes, but also essentially to access legitimate websites containing the latest updates on the corona virus. Definitely, knowledge is power, especially amid the ongoing pandemic. That’s why it is important to always keep yourself up to speed with the latest news and information about COVID-19. Staying informed is key to safeguard oneself and the people you care about, aside from developments about the virus itself to the number of cases on a city or even barangay level.

 

Nonetheless, because of the stream of information being circulated online, there has been a plethora of fake news from unverified sources making their rounds on the web that can mislead the public and cause much confusion. Hence, it is essential to be in the know of the newest updates on COVID-19, with reference to reliable and credible sources. 

 

Misinformation is spread as much as real information in this digital age. Hence, you should keep yourself armed at all times as the battle against COVID-19 and fake news wages on. The pandemic and the world’s response to it change on nearly a daily basis, so in this case, ignorance is not bliss. It can be harmful.

 

Reputable Websites for COVID-19 Updates that Can be Accessed with High-Speed Internet

High-speed fiber internet will let you access the best online sources for covid-19

So where should you refer to for the latest updates on COVID-19? Here are some examples of reputable websites that can supply you with the newest verified information on the ongoing pandemic:

1. World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO), as the United Nations’ specialized agency responsible for international public health, is equipped with a lot of relevant information on the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the leading authority on the pandemic on a global level, from advice for the general public, vaccine development worldwide, and even myth busters.

2. United Nations

The United Nations or UN is one of the best sources for general news on the pandemic. It is an international organization that aims for worldwide peace and security as well as intergovernmental cooperation.  The UN has been updating people across the globe with a lot of important COVID-related stories. It spans from stories of how member states have been combatting the virus to reliable precautionary advice.

3. The New York Times

The New York Times, one of the most respected news publications in the world, posts stories from the latest developments on various vaccines and special interest stories related to COVID-19. It’s still a reputable source you can count on for cold hard facts even if a lot of their content may be centered on American news.

Local Legitimate Websites

4. Department of Health

The Department of Health (DOH) is the national government agency mandated with all matters related to health, and that includes the COVID-19 pandemic. DOH updates its website on a regular basis with the latest data on COVID-19 on a nationwide scale, as well as the government’s efforts to fight the spread of the virus. 

5. Local news outlets 

It is best to refer to legitimate local news outlets for COVID-19 news within localities in the Philippines. These are websites recognized by authorities as sources for stories based on facts and basically, the truth. They not only provide information on all things related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they also supply news on a local and even municipal level. Plus, they report on the latest government regulations and rules so you can follow the law and stay safe at the same time. You can check out news from these media outlets through various forms: printed broadsheets, websites, TV Channel, and their Official Social Media Pages.

Fighting Fake News

Most people turn to social media to get the latest news. Hence, they are susceptible to fall victim to fake news and unreliable fear-mongering messages. Misinformation can cause you harm, and can even be deadly, nowadays. Therefore, it is important to think critically as you consume updates on COVID-19. You should not let yourself be fooled by false reporting, or by some viral news read or video.

Fake news can be as dangerous as the COVID-19 pandemic itself. And that is why you should stay vigilant. According to Harvard University, here are some ways to help you separate fact from fiction: 

1. View the publisher’s credibility. 

You should assess if the website meets academic citation standards as well as check the domain name. You can even check out the website’s ‘About Us’ section, if you have time. Just click “exit” if it looks fishy.

2. Scrutinize the article’s quality and timeliness.

Lots of typographical errors or overdramatic punctuations are signs of a not so reputable website. Respected publications or information authorities uphold their content to very high standards. You should also check if the story is timely and not a recycled piece taken out of context. 

3. Check the sources and citations.

A lot of different sources report on the same stories because of how important COVID-19 pandemic updates are today. Thus, you should double check if the information you’re reading is written by or sourced out from other respected sources.    

4. Refer to fact-checking websites.

Unsure about the credibility of the website you are visiting? You can validate through fact-checking websites. It will instill some confidence in you as you conduct more research on the virus. Great examples of which are FactCheck.org and Poynter.org.

High-Speed Internet will Let You Stay Connected

It is equally important to have a reliable internet service provider that offers high-speed fiber internet connection and quality products and services, aside from being aware of reputable sources for COVID-19 updates and safeguarding yourself from fake news. Don’t miss any update! Subscribe to Steamtech, one of the Philippines’ newest wave in fiber internet. 

The brand offers a lot of products and services that not will only help you stay in the loop on the latest news and information on the COVID-19 pandemic but will also boost your productivity and provide for your gaming and digital entertainment needs. They even have vlogging kits and online class packages, aside from their cable TV plans and high-speed fiber internet bundles. Visit their website to know more about Streamtech’s high-speed fiber internet and its other products and services. You can also check their Official FB Page for more details.