The World Health Organization (WHO)[1] has declared the novel coronavirus outbreak[2] a global pandemic, and as the infectious disease continues to spread, the affects on public health and the global economy is unmistakable. In a March 16 statement put out through the WHO website[3], WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "we're calling on every country and every individual to do everything they can to stop transmission."
As of Tuesday, the virus had been detected in 185 countries and regions. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University on COVID-19 cases[4] show over 1,600,000 confirmed cases and more than 97,000 deaths. More than 364,000 of those infected have recovered.
SEE: How to work from home: IT pro's guidebook to telecommuting and remote work[5] (TechRepublic)
In the US, officials have reported over 425,000 cases in all 50 states and Washington D.C. There are over 16,600 reported deaths from the COVID-19 disease. Governors in many states have declared a state of emergency.
In the last few weeks, governments around the world have enacted travel bans, promoted and in some cases required social distancing measures, and passed stimulus packages designed to mitigate the public health and economic fallout from the outbreak.
In a previous Monday Morning Opener, Larry Dignan examined how the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is affecting global supply chains and consumer demand[6]. On Friday he looked at how the disease may accelerate the future of work[7], including an increase in telecommuting, greater importance on video conferencing[8] and digital collaboration technology, and less travel. As Larry wrote, "One thing is certain: The coronavirus is likely to mean the definition of business, as usual, will change."
SEE: Coronavirus