How Coronavirus Could Affect Affiliate Marketing - Let’s Look Out For Each Other

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It'll be interesting to see how the Coronavirus affects the online gig and affiliate marketing economy.

Here in Republic of Ireland, we're heading towards the lockdown route to controlling the spread of the virus.

Ireland Is Going Into Lockdown

Already, all the schools and creches have been closed until March 29th and the St. Patrick's Day Parades have been cancelled.

There's panic buying in the shops with many shelves now empty of products. This despite the fact there's no disruption to the food and other prooduct supply chains,

Strangely, one of the products that's continuously being sold out is toilet paper.

Companies (like my accountant's) are telling people not to attend face-to-face meetings and to use other means of communication where possible.

Health Service help lines are being flooded with calls from people asking to be tested for the virus. This is even though the populace have been told that the only way to arrange a test is through their doctor - by phone, not by turning up in person at the surgery.

All gatherings of more than 100 people have been banned. We've all been told about the personal etiquette to follow to help stem the spread of the disease:

  • wash your hands frequently
  • stay at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from people, preferably 2 metres (6 feet)
  • avoid socialising as much as possible
  • voluntarily self-isolate, even if you don't have the virus
  • don't let grandparents look after their grandkids while the parents go to work - kids are vectors for the virus and get mild symptoms but grandparents are in the very-at-risk group and could be inadvertently infected

How Employees Are Being Affected

While public transportation and taxis are still operating, companies, on government recommendation, are asking employees to work from home whenever possible.

Where businesses have to temporarily close due to the restrictions on close social interaction, employees must still be paid up until the 29th.

Naturally, the hospitality and tourism sectors have been badly hit by a loss of business.

While most such companies can last financially until the 29th, some have already had to let staff go.

Beyond the 29th, companies start running out of money and will begin to go out of business and the number of unemployed will start to rise.

In spite of this, the government has decreed that all taxes must still be paid on time and there will be no tax holiday. Interest payable on late payments will be waived though up until June.

Why Being An Affiliate Marketer Is A Good Thing

With me being a full-time affiliate marketer, some of my friends have thought it was a risky business to be in, what with the changing monthly income and no safety net under me, so to speak.

Other affiliate marketers have seen similar sentiments expressed by those near and dear to them.

Ironically, it's online marketers and businesses that will likely see the smallest reduction in earnings as things move forward.

In fact, with people being stuck at home, going stir crazy, they may turn to the internet to break the monotony.

That may mean they'll buy online marketing courses as they look for a supplementary or replacement income for their full-time jobs.

They may also go on a bit of a spending spree out of sheer boredom during the lockdown so that online businesses actually see a rise in earnings.

Europe Heads Toward Lockdown

Italy is in complete lockdown now, and Spain will be on Monday (16th). In fact, today, flights to Spain with the UK Jet2 airline turned around in mid-air after hearing of an explosion of virus cases in Spain.

The UK is taking a different approach to dealing with the virus. They're keeping their schools open and apart from telling people to be sensible and to be careful with their personal hygiene, they're not going the lockdown route.

That leaves us in Ireland in a quandary. In the Republic, there are some lockdown measures in place while in the North, there aren't.

When Virus Measures Clash

The border between North and South is not a physical one and we have situations where people routinely cross the border every day going about their business (there are no border or customs checks).

So, within a mile of each other, one school in the Republic is closed while another in the North is open with kids free to wander across the border (some may even live across that border).

The USA Starts To Take Action

The USA is starting to finally see the threat the virus poses, though it's been too slow to act. It wasn't alone in not acting fast enough to control the spread of the virus though.

It remains to be seen how it's affected and what measures will be put in place in the coming days and weeks to control the spread.

If the USA follows the trend that happened in China and now in various countries in Europe, it's only at the very beginning of the infection phase.

In Europe, we have socialised health infrastructure so that if you get sick, you are still treated by the health system regardless of whether you have health insurance or not and nobody's going to be bankrupted by expensive medical bills.

As I understand it, that's a problem in the USA. A doctor's visit here in Ireland costs €60 (about $68) though kids get free doctor visits as do people with a Medical Card.

We also have a robust welfare system that supports people who find themselves out of work, even long-term.

So, for those who might end up losing their jobs as a result of the current health emergency, they will be looked after both financially and medically (should it be necessary).

The USA doesn't have those mechanisms in place so it's likely that people there who suffer financially and/or medically as a result of this crisis will feel it more.

Having an online business of some sort almost seems like something of an insurance policy now, to provide some income if everything else goes south.

The Last Pandemic

The world hasn't seen a pandemic like this since the Spanish Flu of 1918.

We have no experience in how to deal with it in our daily lives. We have science and technology on our side though. Without that, the death rate would be much higher.

The Spanish Flu killed more people than those killed in World War I and II combined. An estimated 50-100 million died.

About 28% (500 million) of the world's population (then 1.8 billion) was infected by that deadly virus. Within months, it had killed more people than any other illness in recorded history, including the infamous Black Death.

It killed 2.8% of the world's population. It had a mortality rate of about 10% (those who died after contracting it).

In comparison, the mortality rate of the Coronavirus is somewhere around 3.4%. But it kills older people with underlying health problems more than any other group whereas the Spanish Flu killed healthy, young adults.

What Does The Future Hold?

The world is going to see some turmoil in the coming weeks and months as it wrestles with the virus and the changes it forces on society.

It's going to change people's lives in various ways - how they view life after the pandemic ends, some will lose their jobs and businesses and, unfortunately, some will lose their lives.

If the stock market continues its downward spiral, it's going to put some big companies out of business and affect personal fortunes and retirement funds and the world could be plunged into a global recession.

Hopefully, this will just end up being an uncomfortable few months and then things will get back to normal.

If you feel up to it, I'd like you to let me and other members know how you're faring, wherever you live, and how the virus is affecting you and your life.

I have a feeling some of us here are going to need the emotional support of other members while we work our way through this crisis.

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Recent Comments

22

Hey Gary,

Thanks for the post.

It's life as usual for me other than a few precautionary measures like keeping up with eating healthy foods, and keeping up with my exercising, etc.

I always wash my hands with soap, use hand sanitizers. I don't get it with people buying all that toilet paper... perhaps I'm missing something. I heard some people have a year's supply. Wow... I hope the leaves come out faster on the tree branches. Might have to use them. 😂

Best of all I trust in my Heavenly Father to look after us!

Stay well Gary... you and your family!

Monica

I don't get the toilet paper thing either, Monica! :)

Back when I were a small kid, and I'd visit my grandparents of a weekend, there was no toilet paper in their house. They used to rip up old newspapers into bum-sized sheets and hang those beside the toilet. So you'd end up with a black bum from all the ink coming off the paper. Having an indoor toilet was seen as something of a luxury. Many houses still used outdoor toilets...and chamber pots during the Winter months.

People can get by without that soft tissue. The first toilet paper was invented in 1857 and would only have been available to the wealthy. Prior to that, humanity had to use whatever was to hand to clean up. And I'm pretty sure they didn't wash their hands afterwards.

Maybe toilet paper is the one luxury most people can't bear to live without?

Btw, my grandparents house had gas lighting until the mid-60s when electric lighting was finally put in. They did have some wiring for the radio though. And no, this wasn't some house out in the boonies, it was a couple of miles from the centre of Dublin.

We've come a long way in terms of living standards since then! :)

Wow... yes indeed, we have come a long way. I feel spoilt with all the luxuries I have. Toilet paper is one of them... a package is good enough, although now it's rather challenging to find just ONE package. It's ZERO on the shelf.

you too - I'm now not working so I am inside or on my balcony - here in Canada it is still cool but the sun in the afternoon on the balcony is warm. Take care

Ya, still snow here too in Central Alberta. But the sun is out and feel sooo good. I went out and did some exercises.

You too, please take care and stay well.

Monica

It is really my great pleasure to have people like you who are able to open our minds and show us what is really happening around the world and also putting confidence to some of us concerning the authenticity of Wealthy Affiliate and Affiliate Marketing.

Thank you so much for sharing this post. May God kelp us in the issue of Coronavirus.

Thanks. At the risk of seeming mercenary, with so many people being stuck at home over the coming weeks and months, it's a good time to push affiliate marketing opportunities like WA.

thanks and keep well

yes, that's my plan, thanks

It is interesting that people become frantic about many things and right now that is the Coronavirus. In my part-time job, I get to see the panic in people as they stockpile products, get testy if we are out of what they need and it is usually because they are not well informed.
I would suggest that people keep informed through ALL sources of media. Remember that the stores are not going anywhere and you will still be able to go and get supplies. Lastly keep an eye on those more vulnerable in your neighbour, your extended family and friends to ensure all are well.
We will get through this.

Yeah, as I mentioned, I'm seeing panic buying in the shops here. It shows how fragile society really is when there's a major, large-scale, unforeseen event. The survival instinct and selfish actions kick in and it's everyone for themselves.

I agree that people need to keep themselves informed through various media but not all types of media. Social media is notorious for disseminating fake stories and disinformation. Sometimes that's done with the best of intentions, sometimes not.

Social media, especially Facebook, is and has been used by various entities for social experiments and social engineering. So I always treat what I find there with suspicion.

The media I follow are recognized news outlets from online newspapers, government healthcare websites, the WHO website, radio news and TV news outlets from various countries. I watch RTE, BBC, Sky News, France 24, Euronews, Aljazeera and CNN. All that gives different viewpoints from around the world and how the virus is affecting and being dealt with in local countries.

We do need to keep an eye on each other in our own communities, especially elderly people who may be living alone.

There are plans in the UK that will recommend that over-70s self-isolate for as long as 4 months until the peak of the virus infection passes. Whether this action will be taken will depend on how quickly the infection rate increases there. I'm not aware of similar plans in other countries.

Here in Ireland and the UK, we can order groceries from various supermarkets for delivery. That may be a way for some to minimise their contact with the outside world while not running short of supplies.

Yes, we will get through this, but it will take a little time.

here in Canada, I listen to some of the same media as you plus CBC < CTV and Global. We too are able to order groceries from and do in-car pick up and can order online and have delivered.
My frustration is that some people think it is a hoax and are not doing anything to mitigate the situation. I am staying in and getting fresh air on my large balcony. We are still cold here so we wait for the sun to makes its way to our side of the building

Those people are everywhere. The USA is full of them, unfortunately, though there are some rational people there too. As far as I can see, they're almost all Republicans. I know they're an anti-science party because they hate facts but, come on, lives are at risk here.

I wasted the entire day trying to set people straight about the virus on Facebook given the amount of misinformation and fake news that's turning up on my timeline. I talked about how lethal the virus is, how infectious it is and how the Trump administration has dropped so many balls while trying to deal with their own outbreak. There's a section of Americans who don't get it. Or, more likely, they don't want to because of the terrifying nature of the outbreak.

For them, the economy is more important than human lives. So what if granny or grandpa dies, at least the economy's up and running is the most common feedback I've got. That and let people get sick to build up herd immunity. The UK started down that route and quickly switched to social distancing and lockdown measures when they realized it wouldn't work.

As the saying goes: you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

Europe has now seen a rise in free-roaming teenagers (who should be at home) going up to people and coughing or spitting in their faces saying "You've got the virus now!". This is terrifying for older people. The police across the continent are taking this behaviour very seriously and are arresting offenders who will then face a substantial fine and possible incarceration.

If yo are out and about, take water with you and take a mouthful every 15 minutes or so to keep your mouth moist so the virus cannot hang on there. Apparently with the next dose of water it will travel to your stomach and be killed by stomach acid.
That advice came from another blog on WA who has a friend in the CDC in Belgium.
It makes sense as the general advice for colds and flu is to keep entry points moist. Use nasal sprays to keep nose linings moist and water for mouths. Germs/viruses cannot take hold apparently.
Worth trying.

Unfortunately, these are myths about how to deal with possible infection.

I did a bit of research and there's is no current scientific evidence that keeping your mouth moist will prevent infection with coronavirus. But staying hydrated can help keep your immune system strong.

See here: https://www.thejournal.ie/coronavirus-factcheck-water-drinking-5042612-Mar2020/

As to using water to flush the virus into your stomach, well...you cannot "flush out" the virus from your airway by drinking water. The idea that drinking water will push the virus into your stomach where it will be killed is not based on any scientific fact.

See here: https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/mar/11/facebook-posts/drinking-water-does-not-prevent-coronavirus-infect/

If you know the web address for the blog that's disseminating this fake information, you should contact the webmaster directly and alert to to that fact or leave a comment on their post with the above (or similar links).

Fake information like this serves no one. Here's the WHO's list of myth busters:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

The Coronavirus is a completely new virus. There are no known treatments. There are no vaccines yet (18 months away). There is no immunity. You can only develop immunity by having and surviving the disease.

Thank you for that Gary.
Cannot recall who put that on their blog here on WA unfortunately, it was supposed to be advice from the Belgium CDC.
I have shared the WHO's myth busters for others.

Yes I read that too and it is great advice

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