Decentralization Can Be Your FriendWe've all been forced to tele-everything, but the best solution is to embrace it.

ByJennifer Spencer

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Westend61 | Getty Images

This may be a time of major disruption and fear, but we have the tools we need to make it through. The best way to mitigate current medical-supply shortages and the spread of infection is through making better use of advancements in technology that are already in place. We may even be able to use the shift to transform our current infrastructure into a more functional and efficient vehicle toward serving our needs in the future.

Health professionals are relying ontelemedicinemore than ever. Factories that would be shut down during this time — like auto manufacturers — are investigating ways torepurposetheir production capabilities so they can make the lifesaving medical necessities we desperately need.

In addition to the major adjustments required to handle the outbreak on a public-health level, havoc has been wrought on most businesses large and small, all over the United States. With supply chains disrupted and Chinese factories having been closed for weeks,Applewas one of the first major retailers to close stores worldwide.Disneyhalted the filming and release of major upcoming productions and shut down its theme parks and cruise lines. Planes are flying empty, major events are canceled, and restaurants, bars, health clubs and movie theaters are closed indefinitely.

With one in four American citizens asked to shelter in place for an amount of time that seems to keep stretching out ahead of us, developers are pressed to find ways to accommodate a massive increase in data access, and people are using the internet for entertainment, work, education and even medical exams.

Social distancing requires us to find entirely new ways of doing business, and blockchain-based services are positioned for success. Blockchain research and development is a priority for more than half of the organizations questioned in amajor 2019 survey. Industries across the board have discovered its value in practical everyday solutions, and that value is now being underscored by a pandemic.

Related:How to Deal With the Economic Impact of the Coronavirus

Employees in all areas of business — including at Google — have beenasked to work from home, and even theNYSE trading floorhas shut down indefinitely. People in several industries can no longer meet face to face with investors and venture capitalists to pitch their concepts, and handling the cash or checks they may be given is an iffy prospect due to the potential for spreading germs. At a time when we most need scientific and cultural innovation, ideas are getting tabled because collaboration is stunted. However, blockchain can solve these problems.

The Filmio Decentralized Platform (FDP) is using its blockchain as a solution to the barriers created by social distancing by giving content creators, audiences and investors a digital space to connect with one and another. And that's just one example of how blockchain's peer-to-peer exchanges, as well as its transparent, immutable and secure ledger, makes it one of the most robust solutions to the challenges we face.

Even though many people have been referring to the age we live in as the "digital era," this is the first time in history that our society has truly made a transition to being fully digital. Face-to-face interactions made up the bulk of our collaborative and transactional exchanges only yesterday, and now we must rely on web-based interactions to stop the spread of sickness around the world.

Just as innovations during the Industrial Revolutionimproved our quality of lifethrough extending our life expectancy, raising our wages and providing access to conveniences never before imagined, innovations made during this digital era will hopefully carry us through a new age of adaptation.

Jennifer Spencer

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® Writer

CEO of Energent Media

Jennifer Spencer is the founder of Energent Media, a digital marketing firm for tech startups. She is passionate about helping brands leverage content to share their stories with the world.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

Costco Isn't Facing Devastating Surges in Theft Like Target and Walmart — and the Reason Is Very Simple

The retailer's CFO revealed its strategy during a fourth-quarter-earnings call.

Business News

'Please Fix This': Elon Musk Frantically Emails Employees During Livestream Glitch

Musk attempted to livestream his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Personal Finance

5 Entrepreneurial Mindset Principles That Empower Financial Literacy

Adopting the right mindset is key to financial literacy. Follow these five guiding principles to enhance your understanding of wealth creation and growth.

Business News

These NYC Roommates Created a Fake Restaurant and Accidentally Garnered a 2,000-Person Waitlist — So They Opened a Pop-up for Real.

The Gen Z'ers dubbed their apartment "Mehran's Steak House" on Google Maps during the pandemic.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指雷竞技手机版望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Business News

Video: Mass Flooding Takes Over NYC Streets, Subways and Parks

All of New York City is under a state of emergency.