Strategic foresight
STRATEGIC foresight, according to Hines and Bishop, is the ability to create and sustain a variety of high quality forward views and to apply the emerging in organizationally useful ways to detect adverse conditions, guide policy, shape strategy and explore new markets, products and services.
The ability to execute plans while adapting to the evolution of science in an agile manner and the skill to manage uncertainties on the fly are critical success factors in any response to the pandemic.
If we are tackling a crisis, if we are to understand the pandemic better, make more responsive decisions and learn from lessons effectively, it is instructive for us to think long, hard and for always.
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There are numerous studies and researches toward finding the cure and the causes of the coronavirus pandemic.
Scientists and medical practitioners around the globe, particularly in the US and in the UK are busy working on data and evidence gathering and experiments to finally put a stop to the onslaught of the disease.
Historical data may help these scientists and medical practitioners to zero in on the formulae to eradicate the global pandemic.
It is imperative and urgent that these gifted individuals continue with their passion to find cures for the disease like the current illness. They know they have the mission to save mankind and the earth.
* * * Speaking of lockdowns, columnist Jarius Bondoc adds some relevant observations: Lockdowns aim to contain the deadly COVID 19 pandemic. But they unintentionally unleash a worse killer: tuberculosis.
Regions, provinces and city-wide lockdowns disrupt livelihoods. Earnings lessened, people are forced to subsist hand-to-mouth. They go hungry and undernourished. Mental anguish and cooped up stress drive them to smoke and drink. With mobility restricted, they are unable to seek medical care and buy medicines. TB-related diseases like diabetes go unattended, numerous kidney dialysis centers have, in fact, shut down. Hence, the growing pr obl em.
And so, the Metro Manilans had to endure a two-week lockdown and who knows, some bright guys from the IATF might even recommend to have it extended till end of August, or perhaps till the end of the year! Ha ha.