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What connects a nursery rhyme 
with working online?

During the Black Death – a lethal plague which swept through Europe, Asia and North Africa in the 14th century – somewhere between 75 and 200 million people died.1  

Scholars debate whether the old nursery rhyme ‘ring a roses’ tells us anything about how people perceived the threat. Did the ‘roses’ describe the red rash and swollen glands? Was the ‘pocketful of posies’ a vain attempt to ward off the ill wind thought to cause the disease? Did ‘a’tishoo’ preface the ‘all fall down’ death that followed infection? 

We may never unravel the exact interpretation, but what we do know is that the aftermath reshaped the world as they knew it. 

  • Re-shaping society 

    The COVID-19 pandemic swept through the world between 2019 and December 2024. Though the remedies were different to those of the Black Death, what connects these pandemics is their massive impact on society. 

    The Black Death led to labour shortages and shifts in economic power. COVID-19 ushered in a global recession and the end of traditional working practices. As society regrouped, so the 14th century saw the introduction of strategies including quarantine and isolation, while Covid heralded the golden age of telehealth. 

    As we move forward, so more and more healthcare providers are rolling out sophisticated health apps and wearable monitoring technology. Patients have moved fast to embrace the convenience and autonomy that such technology offers. 

  • But any evolution in healthcare, however necessary or well thought through, comes with risk. Some are obvious - such as ensuring that treatments are safe and effective, or that misinformation doesn’t undermine trust. But other risks are less apparent.  

    Technology platforms, for example, can struggle to recognise the duty of care they owe users. Issues with the accuracy and reliability of health information provided by platforms can lead to misdiagnoses or inappropriate treatment. Likewise, virtual care businesses may fail to protect against the liabilities that can arise if technology glitches or cyber threats impact performance, threatening patient welfare and safety.

Jeopardy is real

With any great change or societal shift there is risk. And as our world becomes increasingly virtual, the jeopardy for businesses becomes very real and increasingly complex. But we are ready to throw our hat in the ring and support businesses navigate this new and exciting online world.  

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We offer a wide range of products for organizations both large and small, with a focus on the core areas of Cyber and Healthcare.

1- https://www.americanscientist.org/article/the-bright-side-of-the-black-death