Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Sta. Mesa, Manila

College of Business Administration

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC (ECONOMY, MARKET, WORLD LEADERS,

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND MYSELF)

Final requirement for Total Quality Management

Submitted to:

Mrs. Cresilida M. Bragas

SUBMITTED BY:

MYCA ADRIENNE M. GORPIDO

BSBA-MM 2-4
 Introduction

It's been a rollercoaster ride ever since the year 2020 started various events that
may seem impossible happened. Challenges that will test our minds and faith, but aside
from natural disasters, there is this disease that is out of our radars started, when we
celebrated the New Year's Eve. According to WHO last December 31, 2019 a series of
clustered cases of pneumonia had been recorded in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China.
World Health Organization confirms the new strain of coronavirus on January 9, 2020. It
resulted to eventual lockdown of Wuhan City on January 23, 2020 of the central
government of China, alerting the whole world about this virus and it was called 'nCOV'
– that later will become COVID-19. The lockdown lasted for 76 days from January -
midnight of April 8, 2020. But, the virus doesn't end with Wuhan, Hubei, China it also
spreads to the world it affected the European continent with Italy and Spain having the
largest number of cases, making the country of Italy the new epicenter of the virus due
to the large number of cases and mortalities. On March 11, 2020-- the World Health
Organization or WHO declared the nCOV or COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, but, what
is COVID-19 or nCOV?

The Department of Health (DOH) said coronaviruses are a “large family of viruses
ranging from the common cold to more serious infections” such as the Middle East
respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS). The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact,
[a] often via small droplets produced by coughing,[b] sneezing, or talking. The droplets
usually fall to the ground or onto surfaces rather than remaining in the air over long
distances. People may also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and
then touching their face. On surfaces, the amount of virus declines over time until it is
insufficient to remain infectious, but it may be detected for hours or days.

It is most contagious during the first three days after the onset of symptoms, although
spread may be possible before symptoms appear and in later stages of the disease.
The standard method of diagnosis is by real-time reverse transcription polymerase
chain reaction (rRT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab. Chest CT imaging may also be
helpful for diagnosis in individuals where there is a high suspicion of infection based on
symptoms and risk factors; however, guidelines do not recommend using it for routine
screening. Currently, there is no available vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for
COVID-19.

Last January 4, 2020 the Department of Health or DOH called for stricter surveillance of
flights and cruises from abroad. On January 23, 2020 the Manila International Airport
Authority enforces precautionary measures such as ensuring the availability of hand
sanitizers, providing an examination booth, and sanitizing quarantine areas. .

And on January 24, 2020, The Department of Health (DOH) announces that a 5-year-
old child in Cebu under investigation for 3 days tested negative for the 2019-nCoV. The
child had travel history in Wuhan. The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) suspends all
airline operations between Wuhan, China, and any destination in the Philippines for an
indefinite period. On January 25, health authorities repatriate 80 Chinese Boracay-
bound tourists who had arrived in Aklan from Wuhan.

And on January 30, 2020 the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in the Philippines.
Duque confirms the first case of the novel coronavirus in the country in a 38-year-old
Chinese woman who traveled to the Philippines from Wuhan.

This pandemic creates a series of new normal like what the media are calling the new
practices and boom of certain industries in the whole world and even here in the
Philippines. Thus making new trends and other factors that change and challenge the
previous system of how our world works. A pandemic that send the world into a frenzy
or catatonic state, creating a new beginning, but let's not romanticize and overly
describe that it feels so wrong to be amazed of those changes while the world leaders
and scientists are finding a way to get a cure. While the doctors and nurses are putting
their lives for us. A horrifying event that is giving us from this fast-paced world a
breather to give us the clarity of what we must do to change it and solve this issue.
Whether we like it or not, this pandemic will be a part of the history and how it changes
the lives of the people and the different sectors of the economy, politics and the
environment. So let us find out what are these changes how it will affect the future of the
business world – especially us Marketistas.
 ECONOMY

Many years have already passed wars and countless peace treaties were made.
These events also resulted to the economies to grow and expand, uplift its poor families
from the brink of death from extreme poverty. According to a local news outlet the
current Acting National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Chief Karl
Kendrick Chua said that the Philippine Economy could sustain 1.1 trillion PHP of losses
due to COVID-19 and lockdown. Bangko Central ng Pilipinas or the Central Bank also
have said that the Philippine Economy may have a growth of 0.2 a large difference from
the projected target growth of 5-7%. It is huge implications t that have had caused this
kind of stagnation and may cause loss of jobs said by the Department of Labor and
Development Secretary Ernesto Bello. The economic recovery may lasts of three years
said by the senators and the Central Bank citing that a U-shaped recovery may happen
to the Philippines if the virus is contained and spare our country from the second wave
of the virus that countries such as Singapore have experienced. According to the
Department of Labor, over two million workers in the country have experienced job
displacement because of the strict quarantine protocols that were implemented amid the
health crisis.

Displacement of workers some said that maybe half of them may retain their jobs after
COVID-19 pandemic. While the other half, may really say good bye from those said
jobs. Economic plans and projects may postpone some of its projects that will surely hit
the workers – especially construction workers, whose jobs are not even regular. The
contractuals are the ones that will heavily feel the impact of COVID-19. Even the sector
of tourism and manufacturing were hit too. The lockdown imposes travel restrictions
from various foreign travels that become a major player from our growing economy in
the past years. It becomes a major player a spot of growth a chance for job to our fellow
Filipinos to provide food for their families. The sector of Manufacturing is also affected
too. Due to lockdown factories aren't allowed to process or work due to their employees
are restricted to go to work, thus creating a shortage for some goods. While, there are
solutions that may soften the blow to us Filipinos, but our economy have already
suffered from the lack of economic plan for this pandemic
 MARKET

As the economy is experiencing the impact of this pandemic and people are finding
ways to support their families. It is also expected that the current market system will be
affected here and outside of our country. Exports and Imports are heavily affected by
this, thus resulting to shortages of supply that cannot meet the demand of the people
that are needed those products. But, how serious is the impact of COVID-19 on the
market? According to the study, manufacturing, which may lose P82.1 billion to P855.2
billion; wholesale and retail trade, which may suffer a loss of at least P93.2 billion to
P724.8 billion; transport, storage, and communication—due to expected declines in
tourism—which may lose between P11.7 billion to P124.3 billion; are among the worst-
hit sectors. For retailers, COVID-19 is an urgent threat, in addition to other already
existing impacts forcing retailers to radically restructure their business and operating
models to quickly adapt to change.

The combination of impacts from several factors — including social, economic,

environmental, technological, political, legal and ethical — have placed pressure on
retailers to transform business models. COVID-19 is now compounding these impacts
and exposing already weak spots among all segments and sizes of retailers. Improving
their online presence and services amidst of this pandemic it may be what they may
have called one of the 'new normal'.

This sudden shift of trend is brought by the pandemic that is not seen before but, may
deliver a change that most businesses should be expecting or have a plan for this
scenario. The food market is also affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The foodservice
industry has been massively disrupted worldwide with multinational chains converting
operations to delivery-only, independents seeking to weather the storm via a digital
connection to their patrons and many operators simply being forced to close their doors
indefinitely. It also gives the uncertainty in hours of jobs of it people. Starbucks
Philippines are only accessible through drive thrus and online ordering, thus introducing
a new buying behavior that may lasts even after this pandemic.
According to online surveys conducted in March and April by Engine Insights, online
shopping has increased 74% since March 13 in response to the coronavirus. The
percentage of consumers increasing their online shopping March 13-15 was 31%,
March 27-29 – 50%, April 3-5 – 49%, and April 10-12 – 64%. It is an emerging trend
from before but here in our country where physical contact and closeness are seen as a
major factor to win people or consumer, it must be hard. Converting from physical
stores to online shopping sites, it is a change that most people never expected, but it's
now a part of our new lives. But this is a change that it already exists before this
outbreak and that is now given an importance.

Technology at this time and age brings forth a new era of buying and selling process a
whole different to the way – we Filipinos tend to love and already a part of our culture.
As what I have said before, Filipinos loves to make connections, small talk and we are
sociable; actually Filipinos are people of talks and creating relations whether it is foreign
or fellow Filipinos. This is also can be observe in our everyday lives, we love one-on
one transactions and physical money than using cards which is a common trait in the
western countries. In this current pandemic, this cultural behaviors are changing maybe
technology are already integrated with our lives; but it is more of a tool of
communication than a tool or a way of transactions. Filipinos loves technology but wary
on the ways it can exposed them. Wary of the things it can be done to them, but as we
can see things are changing, Filipinos because of pandemic now sees the usage of
technology and internet in making a transaction and buying of goods from online shops
such as – Lazada, Shoppee and etc.

Changes in the market and how we buy our necessities is a change where we can see
where are the things we should be improve to deliver the most appropriate experience
for the customers. Changes can be bad or a good one, if it means for our own safety
why not embrace it? It depends on how we will react to it, it will give us infinite
possibilities, but it does not mean it is an abrupt one, but a step-by-step process we
must learn and accept. If we will not be able to act or make a decision for your business
it will be the downfall of it, must follow or go against the flow of the market but it is a risk
every business must make.
 World Leaders

This pandemic may have been a bit abrupt and too fast for us citizens, but this is the
time where leaderships from different parts of the world were being tested. Who are
ready and fast to react, for their people's safety. The leaders who are the ones
responsible on how to handle their nation, policies that should be implement and even
budgeting is their job. But, this abrupt catastrophe have inflicted major changes to the
chain of command, state affairs, also the economic plans from the cabinet members
that should be done or read by the president this year. Well, the leaders are the ones
servicing the people and it is our part to follow these policies for the betterment of our
nation as whole, but lest not ought be blind on how our fellow people are handling this
and that is a leader must come into, to give a hand and support a pack. But, how do the
world leaders are handling COVID-19? Are the efforts enough to quell the lingering
sense of fear from their people's mind?

While many of her European neighbors, were fumbling around for a response, Mette
Frederiksen the Danish Prime Minister closed her country’s borders on 13 March. A few
days later she closed kindergartens, schools and universities and banned gatherings of
more than 10 people. Her straight-talking speeches and clear instructions to the nation
have been widely praised. She has even managed to show a sense of fun, posting a
clip on Facebook of herself doing the dishes while singing along to 1980s Danish
popsters Dodo and the Dodos during the nation’s weekly TV lockdown singalong.

Some sites are telling that women in position to lead a state are the one's capable
handling this pandemic such as Angela Merkel – the German Chancellor and also the
New Zealand's Prime Minister are one of examples of the observations. But, why are
these women are making the impossible be possible? It seems like there's a study that
discussed about this. Last year, the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board – co-
convened by the World Bank Group and the World Health Organization – called for
more women leaders as a vital part of preparedness efforts. Yet when analyzing recent
emergencies, it is all too clear that little has been done to ensure that women’s voices
are reflected at the decision-making table and – likely, as a result – gender is often
ignored in responses. It is because that most of the health workers are composed of
women and having a female leader of a nation helps to have an easier understanding of
what hurdles women in the healthcare sector are experiencing right now. Thus creating
plans and programs, that is suitable for the current situation of our medical frontliners.

Other issues have risen during the pandemic such as domestic abused, that the female
leaders are making actions to prevent it. Other times, they are more subtle. Times of
crises can exacerbate gender inequalities, like access to paid work, or leave women
vulnerable to poorer health outcomes, like during the 2014 Ebola outbreak where
resources diverted from obstetrics care contributed to a spike in maternal deaths. But,
this doesn't mean that women are more capable, but, maybe in this time we need
female leaders, that can give the security that may help us from this.

For women, are capable handling decision making that may affect the whole nation.
They're not brash or emotional, but compassionate enough to lead. But, are these
enough reasons why female leaders or heads of states are best in handling this
pandemic? Here's why.

It turns out that when you look at the data that way, three factors emerge as having a
significant impact on the spread of the disease, and ultimately deaths: population
density, exposure to those who traveled, and the date when things were shut down. The
first two cannot really be influenced by a leader, but the shut-down date is directly
related to actions taken by leaders. Indeed, the number of COVID-related deaths is
predicted to be substantially lower in areas where leaders acted sooner, even by a
week.

“Cities, states and countries that implemented a clear, thorough and well-executed
social distance plan at least a week before their first death had radically different
outcomes,” says Barrett. “In short, they flattened the curve and controlled and prevented
new cases.”

Other articles say that due to sexism, women in higher positions adapt a masculine
approach in decision making and how they face a situation. Combining this 'masculine
traits' with a women's compassion, emotional intelligence and natural ability to
empathize, makes a woman ---more knowledgeable on how to handle and make a
critical decisions in midst of disasters and other catastrophic events. This also
supported that women are capable to deliver clear and direct objectives and
instructions, to how to execute a plan for their people.

This makes them approachable and a source of comfort and security -- a safety net
for their people. The ability to empathize is a major impact together with discerning and
clear objectives and will power. Creating a curve for coronavirus that can be seen a
decrease in rate of mortality and even the number of cases. They aren't afraid to do the
tough decision for their people. Also maybe the ability to be emotional intelligence is a
bonus to women in higher positions. Another factor of the effectiveness of female world
leaders is their ability to listen to their people and thus creating a more applicable
policies and plans for their people. This is also an integral part of leadership--the ability
of a leader to listen to their people's inputs and how they may use it for creating a plan
suitable to their places' current situation. Also men, tend to be confident with their own
judgement without any consultation.

“In one study,” explains Therese Houston, author of How Women Decide, “71% of men
reported that they thought they were smarter than the average American, with only 57%
of women saying the same…there is plenty of research to show men are more likely to
trust their own judgement and instincts when making decisions.” In yet another study,
men express confidence in their ability to excel as leaders, even when they change
sectors and their resume isn’t aligned with the new industry.

According to the McKinsey study, organizations with more than three women in the C-
suite scored higher on employee survey questions about “direction” and “innovation.”
Women tended to display (statistically more than their male counterparts) two things
during and after a crisis. The first was “expectations and rewards”: defining roles,
clarifying expectations, and rewarding achievement targets. The second was
“inspiration”: offering a compelling vision of the future and an optimistic implementation
plan.
In short, women possess the qualities of transformational leaders—vision, inspiration,
direction-setting and out-of-the-box thinking—though so much of even the recent press
has focused on the softer skills of how they lead

The stereotypical traits, that we have seen and heard in our community is totally
different on how women in positions handles things. Perhaps women have a vision-
fixated setting that makes their cabinet and citizens to follow them due to this direct and
visionary style of governing. But, these qualities have a downside. When women in
higher positions make a mistake, they are probably heavily criticized by the mass, than
their male counterparts. Thus, needing a network of people to cover them, these people
are the one that helps them and supports their decisions, also an important factor to
leadership. Maybe women are more direct, but sometimes female leaders are used to
'cover' the actions of men. Thus making the leadership roles for women tends to be a bit
difficult due to the constant scrutiny of the whole nation to their very actions. It seems
that even women are capable it will be hard to break the streotypes of the society.

Society as a whole, affects how children sees the world, and based on studies children
(both boys and girls) looks up to men in terms of leadership. Thus these little girls may
adapt the mindset or outlook in life how they see the world and how they must act to it.
This does not mean that women are more capable in handling this pandemic better than
men, but there are skills that female leaders help in their decision making and actions.
This skill set makes them be proactive, sometimes can be viewed in a negative light.
But, with them knowing every consequence of their decisions may affect the whole
nation. But, it makes the female leaders a role model for little girls that maybe someday
be a leader of their nation may serve their fellowmen. The study also shows that women
can be fit for decision making process and more qualified too, that emotions together
with logic and rationality can make a result for the better and not be viewed as
weakness of both genders. But, a strength for both of male or female leaders that must
be honed and instill in our minds. This pandemic shows that and studies supported it.
Gender Inequality mixed with pandemic further demolishes this mindset, bringing better
opportunities for the country and for the whole world. Leaders that are ready to step-up
their game and bring forth innovative solutions for new diseases and other calamities.
 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

In this current situation no one expects that natural environment is also affected by
this pandemic. Yet, we are wrong again because of coronavirus is also an issue of our
environment too. Environmentalists and scientists are pushing the world leaders to
pursue sustainable and clean environment not just for the people but, for the animals
too. Because viruses come from the environment and people are being affected of it
too. So how the coronavirus is an environmental issue? What do we need to do to
prevent another pandemic to ever happening again?

According to economists the total amount that will be loss due to the pandemic is a total
of $10 trillion dollars -- almost one-eighth of the total of the Global Gross Domestic
Product. So they recommended that in order to prevent a reoccurrence of another
pandemic. They're pushing the government and business sectors to look on where we
get our supplies -- the biodiversity, and how this will affect the future of the world. In the
past months and weeks researchers from different countries are searching how and
why the coronavirus or COVID-19 happened. And this is what they have found from the
continuous research:

The nucleic acid sequences sampled from animal viruses found in horseshoe bats offer
a good match - one strain from a cave in China’s Yunnan province has a 96% match.
This suggests bats are probably the reservoir; but some differences with the human
version of the coronavirus suggests modification via another animal. There is a good
chance this intermediary was a pangolin, because that species’ version of coronavirus
has an especially good ability to bind onto human cells, which the bat version lacks.
Such intermediaries could have enabled the virus to make its jump to humans.

And in China, bats are commonly used as eastern medicine and also served as a dish
to the local street hubs. Others research also suggested that it also come from the
snakes. And as we continue looking and gathering more information about this virus. It
all just points on one end. Proper hygiene and food preparation is a must, we all know
that it is a part of their culture to use and eat these species. But, without proper policies
and studies to further back this claim up, a pandemic will always occur.
 MYSELF

On March 11, 2020, I have never imagined that the lives of all people will be
drastically changed into something beyond our own comprehension. I was under the
illusion of blissful ignorance of buying my brother's gloves for his graduation. Under the
impression of all things are under control; yet, here we are blindly walking and surviving
this pandemic. Actually, I put myself under that blissful ignorance, but, I already know
about COVID-19 before the first case of it even announced to the public. I am after all a
young adult, that likes to keep tabs on what's happening in the world, yet also liked to
be an ignoramus about certain things. I have heard my aunt, talking to her child--my
cousin who is a one of the frontliner, that pain and fear for her child's well-being is every
mother's experiencing right now. How they're going raised their children in this kind of
environment. I have seen that look to my mother too, that uncertainty, the very kind of
look I hate to see myself ever donning in the future. The future is bleak and really
uncertain, but, at the end of the day, we must remember why are we living? That we are
lucky to be here breathing and talking, while those patients are fighting for an ounce of
breath, and ounce of hope that they're going live and survive this one.

As I am writing this part, it makes me think and dig further of what is really happening
and my own feelings, you see I like thinking things outside of my own point of view;
merely observing how, but, here's what I feel; I'm so deeply invested on how the lives of
people surrounding me will be affected. I can't stand looking at those faces of mothers
because I know I'm affected too, that because I cannot do something to alleviate those
burdens and help the world around me. I feel useless, but, I can't be a liability by putting
my selfishness of wanting to help and be exposed to the virus, and be a burden to the
frontliners. But, I know what I am experiencing and feeling right now, is not what other's
feel too, it's deeper than I am feeling. Them exposed to corruption of those people vile
enough to rob them off, of the help of the government can offer to its people. Those who
are maybe too stubborn and whiny, yet maybe there's an incorrigible reason and one
reasonable though. They're the ones that needs help from us and must feel that they're
cared and part of this nation too. Maybe the future is bleak, but, there will always be
hope at the end of it.
 CONCLUSION

This pandemic has drastically changed our lives and perception to personal hygiene
and proper cleaning or preparing of foods. It changes every aspect of our lives even in a
macro or micro setting, there's an undeniable change we cannot escape. Different
aspects in life, can give us a lasting impact, such as loss of jobs, price hike, and new
personal behavior too. That's how large the impact of COVID-19 to every people. Some
people overlook the competence of a female leader because of things from before, but,
thid pandemic proved that female leaders can do it too, sometimes even better than
their male counterparts. This served as a model for other countries to follow to "flatten
the curve", may seem harsh, but this is what every country have to do, in order to
prevent another wave of it. But, leadership is what we need right now to guide us from
this event, even blindly on some areas, still stay vigilant and aware of surroundings.

Other is the economic impact, there's a shift and very large losses, stopping of
business operations proved to be hard and can cripple a business, without any plan.
Their employees will suffer the fall-out. Millions of people will lose jobs, their very means
to provide for their family. After this, the business operations will not just go back to
normal. It will still be hard to go back. Nee policies should be drafted for the company in
order, to secure their people's welfare. Benefits and other packages should be amended
too, to be suitable for the people's needs. Too many things to change and consider, but
needed and should be done to ensure the safety of their workers and to avoid
exploitation of them. That's how companies should do for their people.

Change in market is expected though, such as the change of how business’

operates and also changes on the buying behavior of the consumers. Now though
technology we can buy goods and other things, but here in our country. This kind or way
of transaction is often overlooked, but now due to the pandemic sudden resurgence of
transaction from online is can be seen. People are now more attentive on what things
they should buy, it now lessen physical actions than before. Now companies should find
a way to manage these sites in order to satisfy their customers. Fix a deliver system for
further satisfaction of their consumers. This will give them their customer’s loyalty to
their company and brand. See there's so many things that COVID-19 changed.
References