Virtual Communication During This Pandemic Lockdown

While we are all on isolation, each one of us has our own stories to share, both serious and funny on virtual communication during this period of social distancing. What I appreciate the most are private group chats and private messages. You see, I grew up under the generation of fax machines and analog telephones. I feel grateful that in this time and age, technology allows us to obtain information while keeping in touch with family and friends living far away.  

I interviewed a few people to share their thoughts on virtual communication during this period of uncertainty.

Q: What are your thoughts and experience  in virtual communication during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine?

Neil, an Interior Designer working overseas replies, "Communication with family is mostly about health related topics, safety and concern, so there are a lot of information exchange on social distancing protocols within the house referenced from scientific related studies.  We also make sure that we have enough food supply at home. My brother, a nutritionist, offers his expertise as well as research on medical journals.  Meanwhile, high school group chats are about jokes, gossip and hysteria causing information while chats with architect and interior designer friends are about conspiracy theories , cold war topics and  the like on who really created this pandemic."

Gardo, an HR employee working from home for a BPO says, "It is helpful in a way that we are aware and are constantly updated on what is happening around us, that we are still able to set up virtual meetings at work.  The drawback is, it's always much easier to work out matters face to face and during actual conversations.  Communication can easily be misinterpreted online, whether by email or skype. For example, Emoticons are needed to re-affirm our conversation, otherwise, email requests are misunderstood as orders if not phrased and presented properly and this can cause misunderstandings."

According to Zoom, a business owner, "People tend to answer faster via messenger now during this pandemic season. People are more available and reachable. "  

Toni, a marketing executive shares,  "Working from home poses challenges. I am impressed by how our IT department organized everything, so communication with colleagues is seamless. Unfortunately, our country's internet speed is slow and cannot keep up, so there are glitches from time to time.  We have smart phones, I-pad, laptops, all loaded with apps and software that enable us to carry on with our work and regular virtual meetings for 30 staff which could even accommodate 100 persons at a time.  Our available internet speed however may not be able to support it. During these online meetings, there were comedic moments at first.  We heard dogs barking in the background and cartoons playing. It is important for the non-speaking members to set their microphones to mute. All facial reactions are seen on the video.  The most frustrating thing during these meetings is to have colleagues who are  ma-papel or girl/boy bibo ,  a hyper eager know-it-all who uses this platform to show off to their superiors.  It is very difficult to interrupt and argue during virtual meetings."  

She continues, "Another disadvantage working remotely is the challenge to obtain immediate decisions. The usual slackers in the office are even lazier when working from home. It is challenging to reach them and they are hard to monitor. They won't even answer a proper yes, let alone give an explanation  to group chats. As a response to questions, they would just like a comment  or type a thumbs up emoji.  It is also hard to work and balance time with kids at home. I have to make sure they are fed before I join these work meetings.  The silver lining is I don't need to dress up. All I need is to put on make-up and a professional looking top with a blazer.  To sum it up, I feel it's more exhausting working from home."

Geelbert, a Media Ads Developer responds,  "Well, I believe, right now, people who are working online is of great advantage. Those who are working in offices and has no work from home option because of the nature of their employments will be in great difficulty. It always boils down to the question that, Where they will get the funds they need to sustain daily needs? If they don't work they will not earn.
In our case, for as long as we receive projects and tasks from trusted clients, we're good. But still, if the quarantine prolongs, I could not say that we're safe. "

Q: Geelbert, how do you differentiate it from your usual work from home experiences?

A: "I have been working online for around 7 years now, and I don't see much difference in the set up. The only difference I observed is that there has been rapid decline of projects we received from clients. My offshore employer is from New York, and I've heard the unfavorable situation in NY right now. Even my immediate project managers and superiors are working from home. I am working in an online advertising agency, so, large part of our operations are not hampered by the situation. But the flow of clients coming in is a bit low compared to before.

I am personally intrigued while conducting this brief Q&A. I find their answers enlightening and worth sharing.

First Photo by alex bracken on Unsplash
Second Photo by Jessica Lewis from Pexels