As the COVID-19 crisis intensifies, we are only beginning to understand its full social, economic, and political impact. While it will take time to wrap our heads around the scope of this pandemic, immediate action is needed – from governments, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals.
This is a powerful opportunity for businesses to refocus their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to double down on their support of communities most in need. This is a time for businesses to connect with employees and partners, and to think seriously and creatively about what major COVID-19 related concerns you may be uniquely positioned to address. Think carefully about the ways your services, employees, brands, products, or connections could drive meaningful, hyperlocal community engagement during this time.
Here are some questions to consider when thinking about your company’s CSR function, along with some examples of how others have begun taking action:
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For insurance and health services companies, how can you work to ensure that Americans have improved access to necessary care? Both Cigna and Humana have agreed to protect customers from incurring any out-of-pocket costs in relation to COVID-19 treatment. Oakland-based managed care organization Kaiser Permanente, in addition to launching the first COVID-19 vaccination trial, is giving $1M to public health organizations and collaborating with the CDC Foundation to help fight the pandemic.
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If you are a major business leader, can you provide direct financial assistance to hospitals, labs, or impacted communities? Apple has donated $15M to help treat those who are sick and to lessen the economic and community impacts of COVID-19, and the company will also match employee donations 2:1 to support relief efforts locally, nationally, and internationally. Wells Fargo has donated $6.25M to aid relief efforts, and American Express is offering $2M in grants to organizations helping to combat the outbreak, including the International Medical Corps, the CDC Foundation, Feeding America, and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization.
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What services and resources can the pharmacy and retail health industry provide? Retail chain CVS is waiving charges for home delivery of prescription medications, as well as co-pays for telemedicine visits for any reason, which will curb traffic in hospitals and healthcare centers. Along with other major pharmacy operations Walgreens, Target, and Walmart, they also plan to dedicate portions of their parking lots for COVID-19 testing, particularly for first responders, healthcare workers, and vulnerable populations.
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Can leaders in the tech, media, or startup industries find new ways to partner with health systems or healthcare vendors to support those on the frontlines? With members including Amazon, Salesforce, and the Mayo Clinic, the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition is a private-industry led response team that brings together healthcare organizations, tech firms, nonprofits, academia, and start-ups to coordinate data and provide real time learning to preserve healthcare delivery and protect populations. Verizon is partnering with first responders, federal agencies, state and local governments, and public health agencies to deploy mobile cell sites, Wi-Fi hotspots, and free charging stations to support emergency response facilities and enable communications.
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If you are a manufacturer, can you shift production to help expand the availability of respiratory equipment for patients or protective gear for health workers and other frontline responders? Auto industry giants General Motors and Tesla will use the factories that have closed due to the outbreak to boost ventilator production, while fashion beauty brands like Zara, Loreal, and Prada have repurposed their factories for the production of much-needed surgical masks, gowns, and hand sanitizer.
At Ichor, we realize the urgency and sensitivity of the challenges that many of us are now facing during this extraordinary public health emergency, and we’re here to help businesses navigate the rapidly changing landscape of information so they can make smart, strategic, and community-based decisions in responding to this crisis. Execution on our hyperlocal engagement strategies will not only reflect your values and build goodwill, but they will also make a true impact on both your internal and external communities.
When the COVID-19 pandemic is finally behind us, the world will look quite different than the one in which we’ve all operated up to this point. What will you have done to support and elevate your community? The answer to this question is crucial, and where you stood during the greatest public health crisis of our time will continue to define your business and its legacy.