There is an App for That

For the first Action Project in this term's Humanities class, Journalism, I was assigned to report on a presently occurring event. Using what we have already learned in class, we were to apply those techniques to a more in-depth report. Some of the techniques include how to properly get information from a story, the interview process, and knowing the 5 core values of journalism. For this AP, I chose to write about the overnight popularity of online services that have helped us navigate the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. From food delivery to streaming services to video conferencing, online services have kept us safe, as well as sane. Where would we be without these technological advancements during a time like this? I hope you enjoy!

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For many people, if not most, the year 2020 has been the worst year on record. In March, COVID-19 forced all of us inside and unable to attend concerts, restaurants, museums, or the movies. The live entertainment, restaurant, and hospitality industries are struggling to stay afloat while other businesses seem to be thriving. So, what does it take for a business to survive in 2020? Online services. The only reason we have been able to tolerate this new normal is due to technological advancements in online services. Businesses that specialize in gaming, streaming services, social media, video conferencing, and food delivery are all reaping the benefits of the “locked down” population.

In the article Understanding the COVID-19 Effect on Online Shopping Behavior, Susan Meyer writes, “Customers are trying their best to adapt to strange times without a lot of footholds and shifting their behavior as a result.” The businesses that seem to be thriving are those that adjusted to meet their customers’ needs. A large population of homebound people were pushed online for things that were, historically, only offered in-person. For example, Susan writes, “In addition to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Disney+ seeing atypical gains in subscribers in the first quarter of 2020, non-traditional streaming services like movie studios are releasing media streaming, on-demand, sometimes earlier than projected release.” Lina Nicklin is a suburban mother of three. When asked which online services have helped her children cope through the pandemic she said, “For my daughter, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. For my sons, any online gaming platform - Xbox, Steam, Discord, etc.”

From Barron's, Edited by SN

From Business Insider, Edited by SN

From 123RF

In highest demand are food delivery apps, such as DoorDash, UberEats, Postmates, and more. According to Research and Markets, “With more people stuck at home due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a surge in demand for food delivery services. Since dine-in is no longer an option, consumers are turning to delivery to treat themselves during the days of social-distancing.” In addition, many restaurants had to begin offering home delivery just to keep their businesses afloat. Douglass Miller, a lecturer at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration said, “For some restaurants, that was their only means of being in business. The only other option was to physically close.” The big boom came when many food delivery apps partnered with supermarkets to deliver groceries and other essential items to people’s homes. Back to our suburban mother of three, Lina. Her friend owned a restaurant that, recently, closed due to the hardships of the pandemic. “My friend tried so hard to keep her small family restaurant alive. In the end, I just don’t think people associated food delivery apps with her restaurant. The delivery apps mostly appeal to larger, more popular eateries.“

Finally, another online service experiencing increased success is video conferencing. This online service is Lina’s personal favorite. She said, “Our family has SO many spring birthdays. Zoom and Facebook Video Chat were a godsend! It was so wonderful to connect with extended family members all at once and celebrate. Singing and laughing together made those first couple of months more bearable.” According to Samantha Murphy Kelly of CNN Business, “As the coronavirus pandemic has forced millions around the world to stay in their homes, [Zoom] has emerged as the go-to service for not only virtual meetings and classroom lessons but happy hours, costume parties, church services, brunches, book clubs and romantic dates.” In the early months of the pandemic, as people were grappling with new social distancing guidelines, Zoom quickly became the most downloaded app in the Apple App Store. According to the app tracking firm Apptopia, Zoom was downloaded 2.04 million times worldwide on March 22nd and 2.13 million times worldwide on March 23rd. Since then, the people at Zoom have improved the app with built-in beautification filters and virtual backgrounds.

Online businesses continue to help us navigate the long, dark tunnel of the pandemic. Not only do they provide entertainment and opportunities to connect with one another, but online services are helping to contain the spread of COVID-19 by making it easier and more comfortable to stay at home. This year has been tough, but online services adapted to fit our lifestyles and make things as “normal” as possible. I think we are all grateful, on many levels, for these technological advancements. Remember that there is a light at the end of this COVID tunnel. All we need to do is walk long enough to reach it. Online businesses will help us do just that. Tread safely.

Citations
  • Carman, Ashley. “Why Zoom Became so Popular.” The Verge, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2020, www.theverge.com/2020/4/3/21207053/zoom-video-conferencing-security-privacy-risk-popularity.
  • “Food Delivery: COVID-19.” Research and Markets, www.researchandmarkets.com/issues/food-delivery-on-the-rise?utm_source=dynamic.
  • Loria, Kevin. “How Much You Should Walk in a Week to See a Major Improvement to Your Health.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 1 Apr. 2020, www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-in-shape-easily-by-walking-2018-10.
  • Meyer, Susan. “Understanding the COVID-19 Effect on Ecommerce.” The BigCommerce Blog, 2020, www.bigcommerce.com/blog/covid-19-ecommerce/.
  • “Stock Photo.” 123RF Stock Photos, www.123rf.com/stock-photo/food_delivery.html?sti=nsxc25q8pc3u9fvo7f%7C.
  • Tan, Kopin. “The Picture Darkens for Movie-Theater Operators.” Barron's, Barrons, 15 July 2017, www.barrons.com/articles/the-picture-darkens-for-movie-theater-operators-1500094336.

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