CEP Magazine (May 2020)
The world has emerged as generally unprepared for a global pandemic. Certain countries, such as South Korea and Taiwan, have demonstrated an ability to mobilize health care systems and communities to contain and handle the virus, whereas other countries, such as Italy and the United States, have been blindsided by the scope of the virus.
The effects are manifold:
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Global supply chains have been rocked, particularly because most supply chains lead to or through China.
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Traditional policies regarding work from home, sick pay,[1] and inter-departmental work have been upended.
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Health care systems, especially in the United States, have been exposed for weaknesses that could have a great impact on future policy.
Governments are not only uncertain as to how the virus actually behaves, but are also debating the political and economic fallout [2] of taking actions often recommended by domestic and international health officials. The issue is compounded by the fact that two major countries have complicated matters: China hid knowledge of the virus for two months before it went public, and the United States is struggling to present a coherent national response. China seems to have gained control over the virus after draconian measures.
The effects of this global pandemic on the compliance profession could be long lasting. How compliance professionals view the workplace, how health care compliance will dovetail with preparedness and access to care, what policy and regulatory reactions local and national governments may have to the crisis, and how international trade and cooperation are viewed will be some of the issues people will be dealing with.