George Floyd, COVID-19, the Australian Bushfires and the Global Supply Chain.

Marco Viglietta
4 Minute

What Do They All Have in Common? A look at the Bigger Picture.

Much like the catastrophic Australian bushfires of 2019/2020, COVID-19 has seemingly retreated into the darkness of the past and archived, as new “stories” take precedence in the headlines. The death of George Floyd and subsequent protests and social unrest in the United States of America is now headline news, and COVID-19 lurks menacingly in the shadows, waiting for the perfect opportunity to show its face.

The Perfect Storm?

What if the horror of George Floyd’s death is the interlude for COVID-19? What if the alarming protests and civil unrest in the USA are a horrific precursor to a terrifying second half? The demonstrations are a public outpouring of immense grief and anger for generations of racial inequality and abuse. However, in the current COVID-19 climate, protests, where thousands of people gather for a common cause, are also a recipe for disaster. The George Floyd protests, albeit unwittingly, are a melting pot that could provide COVID-19 with the perfect conditions required for immense spread. Today, the whole world is watching the United States with bated breath as cities and businesses burn, lives are lost, and stories are yet to be told and heard. Eyes are currently averted from the COVID-19 pandemic that has spread to 180 countries and six continents. The virus has been the culprit behind unprecedented global social isolation measures and has had a profound negative impact on the world economy. Lives are still being lost to COVID-19 at a tremendous rate, not only in America, but the world over and our attention is fragmented. Hundreds of lives were impacted, and wildlife species were completely destroyed in the Australian bushfires, the consequences of which are also still being felt. The truth is that life goes on, and it’s brutal. We will all live with the legacy that 2020 presented us with, but the lessons learned will be passed down for generations. These disasters taught us that we must anticipate the unknown and fight the fear. We must look forward and handle the cards we have been dealt if we are to fully recover.

Supply Chains Must Remain Viable for the Good of All.

At present, the viability of the world economy is, at best, precarious. It relies on many factors such as the health of citizens the world over, viable and stable governments, freedom of movement, freedom to trade and a lack of civil unrest. A viable economy relies upon, and favours, unity, equality, and cooperation, all factors that are elusive in the current climate. However, even in the darkest of times, there is often a glimmer of hope. Even in the most challenging of times such as war, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian bushfires and civil unrest in the USA, the wheels of the supply chain are ever turning.

There is a multitude of benefits of globalisation, not least of all the tremendous economic opportunities it presents. However, the national economies that were sheltered and protected in the past, now find themselves at the mercy of global forces. The security and efficiency of global supply chains are as paramount to economic stability as they are to economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for the deaths of over 382,365 people. It has jeopardised manufacturing production and has compromised the integrity of the entire international supply chain. Threats to the supply chain directly impact organised society as well as the economic, social and physical well-being of citizens the world over, and it is, therefore, essential that supply chains remain viable. Well-established forwarding companies who have a truly global reach have played a huge part in helping to keep the cogs of the supply chain moving throughout the pandemic. Avion International Freight Forwarding has offices strategically located in Italy, UK, Germany, Poland, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Australia which has allowed them to navigate the spread of the virus and successfully manage disruptions when they occur. Businesses who are struggling to transport their goods are encouraged to call Avion International (Australia) on 02 9326 8400 to find out how we can help you. Avion International Freight Forwarders are hypervigilant and well-informed about both the current state of global affairs and the economy. Our diligence enables us to provide accurate and appropriate advice to our clients, and to make educated decisions should we find ourselves faced with any disasters in the future. As a global entity, Avion International Freight Forwarders feel that we have a duty of care to ensure that the supply chain continues to operate like a well-oiled machine for the benefit of businesses and people the world over.

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