The COVID-19 has been in the news lately. Since it became viral, so many businesses have been put on hold and even the global economy is affected.
In February 2020, the Mobile World Congress was cancelled. The gathering was cancelled in a bid to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The MWC wasn’t the only tech event that was affected.
Google canceled its I/O developer and Cloud Next event and Microsoft pulled out of the Game Developers Conference event. Other cancelled events include Facebook’s F8 Developers Conference, Apple’s WWDC event, and Seedstars’ Summits. The tech giants resorted to an online-only event to carry out the cancelled sessions to contain the spread of the virus.
The big players understand the need for techies to stay healthy during this period, which is why they are putting measures in place to achieve it. You see, we have gotten to a point where technology runs almost all our businesses and things will go wrong if the sector is badly hit. This is why tech companies like Google and Apple has asked its employees to work from home as a precautionary measure. We at TechGist Africa is asking that if possible, all techies should do the same.
We strongly advise that techies should henceforth;
- Work remotely if possible.
- Resort to digital means to process payments.
- Listen to verified news channels for updates on the COVID-19.
- Resort to video calls for meetings, and if it must happen at a live venue, take precautionary measures before arriving at the venue.
- Keep your work station clean at all times.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap or water is not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Maintain healthy distance with sick people. WHO advises at least 1 meter.
- Distance yourself from other people, especially if COVID-19 is spreading within your community.
- Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you are coughing or sneezing, and dispose afterwards. In a case where there is no tissue, endeavor to cough and sneeze into your elbow or sleeve.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces you touch frequently. Surfaces like doorknobs, desks, computers, phones, keyboards, sinks, counter tops, toilets, etc. should be properly cleaned.
- Stay at home if you are sick and call your doctor if you don’t feel well after 24/48 hours.
- Wear a face mask if you are sick. Also, wear one if you are in a crowded area and before entering a healthcare provider’s office.
We care about you techies, and we hope that you stay safe through this period.
