WHO encourages use of digital payments due to COVID19

[fiulpro]

Since it has been already termed as a Pandemic , it's close to hitting an economic crisis . Paper money is a breeding ground for the bacterias , even though it can just serve as a mode of transportation for the viruses , it's still lethal , money would never be thrown away by people the least and it can go beyond the borders really fast.
Therefore it's only right if the people are using the online mode of payments since it's harmless , gives you instant discounts on most apps and malls , safe and widely accepted.
It's time for the credit and the debit cards to be out .

[bitbunnny]

This kind of approach is hitting two birds with one stone. It prevents the spread of the contagion and it also helps in promoting the use of cashless transaction, thus in turn promotes cryptocurrency which is a very big step for the establishment and stabilization of cryptocurrency to the general public.

Well, I'm not sure how this is really helping to prevent the spread of virus. Money bills are not the only way or more dangerous how you can catch the virus.
However, I agree this might help that more and more people use cashles payment options and hopfuly that will turn into their habit even when virus will be gone.

[tbterryboy]

This is not the first time that someone is recommending that people should make use of contactless payment. In fact it has been repeated a lot of times and I was thinking that by now that a lot of people would have recognized cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin, and made it their choice but instead I noticed that they were all going for other payments like mobile banking, PayPal, and WeChat Pay (which is currently trending in China).

Where I live there is no place where you can make payments with Bitcoin, it’s mainly mobile banking and some kind of QR codes payments that are part of the services being offered by banks which customers can scan and make payments. Seems like cryptocurrency is not gaining recognition and it’s quite disappointing, the only places you can see Bitcoin being accepted is online.

[davis196]

It's obvious why he suggested it to prevent having contact with money that a lot of people had previously own. This brings a chance for cryptocurrency to be recognized by the government.

Cryptocurrencies might be "recognized" by the government,but they can't beat credit/debit cards,Paypal,Transferwise,Skrill,etc. so your assumption is doesn't matter.
Bitcoin crashed by 50%!Do you think that people will use a "currency" that crashes by 50% after 2 days?
I don't see any retail merchant accepting crypto payments.Do you think they will accept a volatile currency as a payment method right now?

[imstillthebest]

It's obvious why he suggested it to prevent having contact with money that a lot of people had previously own. This brings a chance for cryptocurrency to be recognized by the government.

Cryptocurrencies might be "recognized" by the government,but they can't beat credit/debit cards,Paypal,Transferwise,Skrill,etc. so your assumption is doesn't matter.
Bitcoin crashed by 50%!Do you think that people will use a "currency" that crashes by 50% after 2 days?
I don't see any retail merchant accepting crypto payments.Do you think they will accept a volatile currency as a payment method right now?

does crypto only mean bitcoin ? nope . there are other cryptos that are stable and there are those that dont crash hard yet these cryptos are okay to use for payment use more than bitcoin . its not about replacing or beating other digital payment methods but its about alternatives  .

in a situation that we are experiencing right now which is hard, people shouldnt think of the competition but they should think of the alternatives on how can we continue our lives without risking our selves.

[Ozero]

Of course, it’s very logical to switch to digital payments, including any form of cashless payments, now, in the period of the rapid spread of coronavirus. In order to overcome the coronavirus, people need to go outside less, to touch paper money less, which can be carriers of this infection for a certain time. Cashless payment for goods and services in this case is a good way out. In particular, this will facilitate the use of a decentralized cryptocurrency, as well as stable coins.

[fudster]

Its time governments consider cashless transaction, not necessarily bitcoin or crypto but it would be great for governments to support cryptocurrency especially the government backed coins. For the purpose of avoiding the spread of the disease now that WHO is declaring it as pandemic. It has to start some country where their government allows crypto like Japan or Germany.

[Yatsan]

Of course, it’s very logical to switch to digital payments, including any form of cashless payments, now, in the period of the rapid spread of coronavirus. In order to overcome the coronavirus, people need to go outside less, to touch paper money less, which can be carriers of this infection for a certain time. Cashless payment for goods and services in this case is a good way out.

During this time, it is suitable and safe for all people to use digital payments such as crypto because of the threat of the corona virus. Since the virus cannot carried by air and the chances of getting it is more on droplets left in things, the use of fiat currency is at large. Using cashless payments does not mean any way out to the virus, it would just lessen the threat of the said problem but the thing is if everyone has it and know it. I'm afraid what this matter could bring if we do it hasty, we could possibly create another problem on different area without being foreseeing it.

In particular, this will facilitate the use of a decentralized cryptocurrency, as well as stable coins.

To use decentralized cryptocurrency is just for short term solution to this kind of problem coz government would obviously change it later on. Why? Coz they literally don't want it.

[panganib999]

Money is the medium which is used by everyone in the world so it has been a primary reason why of a virus getting spread but this won't increase the adoption of cryptocurrency by the way because there are not many places we can spend actual cryptocurrencies so it is all about digital bank transactions.

Exactly. At times like this, we cannot still ensure that just because people are afraid of using paper money since it can possibly become a mode for the spread of virus due to physical contact due to the reason that many people's hands have already hold that money is that we can already promote the usage of cryptocurrencies because even if people would think using it as an option, but still many countries are lacking for adaption of using it since not all people are aware or are being able to know how to use it since most people are evenly using fiat ever since. Also, even at this time of crisis, there are still other ways on how you can be able to pay your goods and services by doing digital banking or using apps to scan the QR code to be able to send payment or if not, using credit cards will also do. But, the point is, there is really a reason why WHO promotes or encourages everyone to use digital payments instead of paper money to prevent the spread of virus. But since not all people can afford it specially for those people lying or classified to belong in a poor society, where they cannot afford doing digital payments, people would really use paper money so sanitizing after receiving money will at least do to stop the spread of virus.

[Latviand]

This kind of approach is hitting two birds with one stone. It prevents the spread of the contagion and it also helps in promoting the use of cashless transaction, thus in turn promotes cryptocurrency which is a very big step for the establishment and stabilization of cryptocurrency to the general public.

This is really what we need right now, promotion of bitcoin during this pandemic, this is the right opportunity for us to suggest using cryptocurrency in many transactions as a payment. There are a lot of people who are struggling right now just to pay their bills, electricity, water, internet and other bills that needs to be paid by the consumer.

Well, I'm not sure how this is really helping to prevent the spread of virus. Money bills are not the only way or more dangerous how you can catch the virus.
However, I agree this might help that more and more people use cashles payment options and hopfuly that will turn into their habit even when virus will be gone.

The idea of digital payments are a huge help for the safety of transactions, there are times where people aren't knowledgeable about how dirty a fiat money is. Sometimes we need to be careful of the things that we are holding because the virus can easily stick to the surface so always sanitize your hands and things.

It is much guaranteed to use digital currency rather than physical money during these days for the safety of your health. Fiat money could be touched by thousands of people and you don't have any idea where it came  from.

[AniviaBtc]

Of course, it’s very logical to switch to digital payments, including any form of cashless payments, now, in the period of the rapid spread of coronavirus. In order to overcome the coronavirus, people need to go outside less, to touch paper money less, which can be carriers of this infection for a certain time. Cashless payment for goods and services in this case is a good way out. In particular, this will facilitate the use of a decentralized cryptocurrency, as well as stable coins.

Digital transactions are very ideal during this kind of pandemic as it is more safety compared to other way of payments. It is more risky right now to use fiat money in such person to person transactions, we need to learn and accept the fact we are engaging and getting the benefit of using cryptocurrency right now as our technology is advancing.

Paper money is the the dirtiest thing that you could imagine because of its movement in the community. Most of the people could've touched the paper money because it is moving in the market. Using digital currency can really help us to become less hassle in paying our balances.

People just really need to know the advantages of cryptocurrency in the economy and in the market so that we can help promoting it to our friends and families to become more safe from the risk of getting the virus through cash payments.

[carlisle1]

World Health Organization knows best for what will people can benefits in this pandemic so advising people to use alternative from Physical money can be considered as advantage to our community here.

Yeah Crypto is one of the best alternative now though PayPal has the dominace still yet we are starting to enter the mainstream as this Big organization are now mentioning our Currencies here to be advantageous in our important time now.

Its time governments consider cashless transaction, not necessarily bitcoin or crypto but it would be great for governments to support cryptocurrency especially the government backed coins. For the purpose of avoiding the spread of the disease now that WHO is declaring it as pandemic. It has to start some country where their government allows crypto like Japan or Germany.

sorry but Government will never let a cashless society mate because Physical money is what they need to push,Paper money printing is what saves government from crisis like this.

Of course, it’s very logical to switch to digital payments, including any form of cashless payments,

for safe using?yeah i considered this as valid because more than anything we need no contact for this time and having cashless can help us prevent the spread of this virus.

[onrise]

Of course, it’s very logical to switch to digital payments, including any form of cashless payments, now, in the period of the rapid spread of coronavirus. In order to overcome the coronavirus, people need to go outside less, to touch paper money less, which can be carriers of this infection for a certain time. Cashless payment for goods and services in this case is a good way out. In particular, this will facilitate the use of a decentralized cryptocurrency, as well as stable coins.

Some of the countries will switch of digital currency after Covid situation as would try to make less contact with paper as much as possible. This would encourage them to switch to crypto and make use of them for the best possible reasons. Also, the demand of crypto will rise with this and as a result prices will also rise with increase in demand and consumption.

[GDragon]

Some of the countries will switch of digital currency after Covid situation as would try to make less contact with paper as much as possible. This would encourage them to switch to crypto and make use of them for the best possible reasons. Also, the demand of crypto will rise with this and as a result prices will also rise with increase in demand and consumption.

I think it is starting, not in crypto but in fiat. My city started using an E-wallet to distribute money to its people specially to those affected by the lockdown. 500k people received money through their e-wallets, including me. If there are people who don't have an E-wallet yet, the city will create an e-wallet for them using their phone numbers. So a lot of citizen here who doesn't even know that an e-wallet exist just received a text that they just received money to their e-wallets. They can pay their bills using the e-wallet too, or they can convert it to the nearest money outlets.

I just helped my parents verifying their first ever e-wallet.

[Shasha80]

Digital payments are indeed mandatory during COVID-19, because if financial transactions still use paper money, the spread of the corona virus
will continue to happen. Unfortunately, cryptocurrency in my country is prohibited as payment, so I only use it cryptocurrency as a digital asset.
And for digital payment, I have to use a digital bank transaction, so the transaction is enough done with a mobile phone.

[20kevin20]

I think it is starting, not in crypto but in fiat. My city started using an E-wallet to distribute money to its people specially to those affected by the lockdown. 500k people received money through their e-wallets, including me. If there are people who don't have an E-wallet yet, the city will create an e-wallet for them using their phone numbers. So a lot of citizen here who doesn't even know that an e-wallet exist just received a text that they just received money to their e-wallets. They can pay their bills using the e-wallet too, or they can convert it to the nearest money outlets.

I just helped my parents verifying their first ever e-wallet.

I'm interested in hearing/reading more about this, do you have an article you could link me to so I could read more about the e-wallet (or would you mind telling me which area is it so I could look it up)?

I wonder how the elderly will get accustomed to this new e-wallet. I know tech has to advance and stuff and it sure does look like the only way everyone's pushing for is cashless, but this will be a very big headache for those older. I have family members who don't even know how to use a mobile phone. Give them an "e-wallet" and there goes the hunger

[ultrloa]

I think it is starting, not in crypto but in fiat. My city started using an E-wallet to distribute money to its people specially to those affected by the lockdown. 500k people received money through their e-wallets, including me. If there are people who don't have an E-wallet yet, the city will create an e-wallet for them using their phone numbers. So a lot of citizen here who doesn't even know that an e-wallet exist just received a text that they just received money to their e-wallets. They can pay their bills using the e-wallet too, or they can convert it to the nearest money outlets.

I just helped my parents verifying their first ever e-wallet.

I'm interested in hearing/reading more about this, do you have an article you could link me to so I could read more about the e-wallet (or would you mind telling me which area is it so I could look it up)?

I wonder how the elderly will get accustomed to this new e-wallet. I know tech has to advance and stuff and it sure does look like the only way everyone's pushing for is cashless, but this will be a very big headache for those older. I have family members who don't even know how to use a mobile phone. Give them an "e-wallet" and there goes the hunger

You can read this https://moneytransfercomparison.com/ewallets/

Hope it can help you, and also I think government should conduct a campaign to teach elderly about online payments since for sure there are so many elderlies doesn't know about the new technology and it can help them to lessen the risk since they are more vulnerable with the disease.

[Chrystora123]

Digital payments are indeed mandatory during COVID-19, because if financial transactions still use paper money, the spread of the corona virus
will continue to happen.

the problem is the governments in almost all countries are one step late in applying for massive digital payments..  I understand that to change the habits of people who for decades have been accustomed to using fiat money in transactions is almost impossible, but that does not mean it can not.  if education and direction is carried out by the government continuously for all citizens in each country then I am sure in the next 6 months, digital transactions will increase 70% worldwide..

[justdimin]

Guys calm down, yes bitcoin is a digital payment platform but not all digital payments are bitcoin, there are plenty of other methods. For example right now banks are working overtime on making app payments a lot more common and adopted. That way the machines you use for credit card payments will show some sort of QR code that was generated, and with the QR code that generates you open your bank app on your phone and will be paying it. It is already happening here a bit more often, there is also cards that you do not even touch to pay and so forth.

Basically digital payments doesn't equal to bitcoin, just calm down. Millions of people literally learned to buy the grocery needs online as well, so right now we are even one more step closer to just buying everything online.

[plvbob0070]

Guys calm down, yes bitcoin is a digital payment platform but not all digital payments are bitcoin, there are plenty of other methods. For example right now banks are working overtime on making app payments a lot more common and adopted. That way the machines you use for credit card payments will show some sort of QR code that was generated, and with the QR code that generates you open your bank app on your phone and will be paying it. It is already happening here a bit more often, there is also cards that you do not even touch to pay and so forth.

Basically digital payments doesn't equal to bitcoin, just calm down. Millions of people literally learned to buy the grocery needs online as well, so right now we are even one more step closer to just buying everything online.

Yes, when we say digital transactions, not everyone will think of cryptocurrency. But because of this fear of getting affected by the virus, some people are already learning how to use e-wallets and other payment apps, which is a good stepping stone for digital payments. It gives more chances for cryptocurrency to be recognized because people are now adapting to digital payment. Maybe not now, but sooner cryptocurrency can also be an option by most people when it comes to transactions.

I have hope that the recognition of cryptocurrency will grow more after this. Until now, we are still facing the same issue and we are not sure until when we will have to continue living with this virus. If people are already practicing "new normal" ways of living, it's also better if they could also learn to use digital payment methods.