Covid Communication: The Rise of Virtual Communication

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote work and virtual communication. As a result, communicators must be proficient in using virtual communication tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Skype to conduct meetings, interviews, and other communication activities. This requires training in virtual communication techniques, including camera presence, lighting, and sound quality, as well as the ability to adapt communication strategies to virtual settings.

The pandemic has forced many people to work, study, and socialize from home, which has led to a significant increase in the use of virtual communication technologies such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and social media.  There have been calls for increased use of digital technology for teaching, therapy, and medical treatment, with emphasis on increased opportunities for access via technology. For instance, Matt Hancock, the former British Health Secretary, declared that telemedicine should become the norm not the exception, that the UK needs “more Zoom medicine” and that “all consultations should be teleconsultations unless there’s a compelling clinical reason not to”. Most ambitiously, in 2021, Mark Zuckerberg announced the move of his company’s focus from its social media platforms to the development of the metaverse– a virtual world where people can work, play, and socialize; a virtual world that could “[shift] our existence from being rooted in the physical world to one in which our digital presence increasingly supplements our real one” (Osler & Zahavi, 2022). 

This featured YouTube video discusses life after covid and how communication styles have shifted and changed during Covid and show in a whimsical way how many companies have had to adapt.

Another reason for the rise in virtual communications is the convenience and accessibility they offer. With virtual communication tools, people can connect with each other from anywhere in the world at any time, which is especially useful in situations where travel or face-to-face meetings are not possible or practical one of the main reasons for this increase is the need for physical distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. As a result, many businesses, schools, and organizations have had to rely on virtual communication tools to keep operations running smoothly.

 

Overall, the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of virtual communication technologies, and they will likely continue to play an important role in the way we work, study, and socialize in the future.

Osler, L., & Zahavi, D. (2022). Sociality and Embodiment: Online Communication During and After Covid-19. Foundations of Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10699-022-09861-1

simpleshow. (2020, March 26). Communication During Coronavirus [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKsVItctvFA