The following is excerpted from the question-and-answer section of the transcript.
(Questions from industry analysts are provided in full, but answers are omitted - download the transcript to see the full question-and-answer session)
Question: Thomas M. Jones - Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG, Research Division - Analyst
: I have 2. One was just about the current recovery. We've discussed this -- the demand side of the equation quite a lot. But I wondered if you'd like
to make some comments on the supply side? Clearly, there's an incentive for physicians in the U.S., et cetera, to get back to work. But is there a risk
that we end up not ever being able to get back to 100% capacity, unless we make some significant changes to health care systems? I guess what
I'm alluding to are things like enhanced cleaning protocols, more patient separation, et cetera, et cetera, reducing the overall functional capacity
of operating departments, even if they are working longer hours, as you said. I know there's certainly been an issue in the U.K. where a lot of hospitals
are back to operating, but at a much, much reduced pace due to the enhanced COVID protection protocols they have in place. So just some
comments on the supply side would be good, if you can. And then I have a follow-up.
Question: Thomas M. Jones - Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG, Research Division - Analyst
: Okay. Perfect. And my second question is really a kind of big picture, post-COVID one. There's a lot of talk about the new normal. But I wonder,
from your experience so far, what permanent changes to your industry, to your business, do you think COVID might precipitate? You've already
alluded to the shift to ASCs, and I guess that was a trend that was there that's now been accelerated. But I'd be interested to hear your thoughts
on what other permanent changes might ensue from this pandemic. Maybe thinking marketing expenses become significantly lower, if you can
do a lot more remotely, whatever it might be. Just be interested to hear what you think the new post-COVID world looks like for your industry and
your company.
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