I found a really interesting video on Mashable about a robot developed by a team at University of Southern California that carries a UV light to detect unclean surfaces and sanitizes them. The robot is controlled by humans from a distance, and is able to move around, open drawers and reach hard-to-reach places in order to disinfect.

Although it is still being tested, I believe this could be a great step in helping fight off coronavirus, and keeping public areas sanitary, while also protecting workers from exposure. When humans clean, there are only so many things we can see and places we can reach. This UV carrying robot can help ease the burden and ensure proper sanitation. I would not be surprised if an autonomous cleaning robot would be developed, so that way the robot is able to clean without the need of human intervention. Similar robots have been made for hospitals as well. The UV light is able to kill off bacteria and harmful germs, saving patients from potential exposure that humans are not able to detect when cleaning.

Source: https://mashable.com/video/uv-light-wand-robot-disinfect-public-spaces/

Artificial intelligence could be in finding possible treatments and cures for coronavirus according to this NY Times article. AI could search through thousands of documents and research in the span of a few weeks, where it might take doctors or researchers years to read about. BenevolentAI, a startup in London, was able to identify a possible treatment for coronavirus symptoms called baricitinib, which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but can also help boost your immune system from foreign activity, even going as far as helping prevent the virus from entering the body’s cells.

Although this AI isn’t producing a specific cure or method of treatment, it points doctors into the right direction of drugs that may possibly be used, and offers information on these drugs that could potentially help in fighting off the virus. The researchers stated that this drug would most likely not have been discovered as a treatment if not for the work of the AI.

I believe AI in the medical industry could lead to monumental discoveries in all sorts of treatments, not just coronavirus. There are thousands of medical journals and research out in the world, but not everyone can sit and read through them, so why not make an AI do it for you? The purpose of these AI’s are not to replace these researchers, but to aid them in any way possible.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/technology/coronavirus-treatment-benevolentai-baricitinib.html

I never realized how much unnecessary tech has been advertised until the pandemic hit. This article from the New York Times really opened my eyes to how much we spend on non-essential tech just for the sake of convenience or what looks cool. For example, I remember getting an Amazon Echo Dot speaker and used it a few times after opening, but left it to sit in the dust. Why do we spend so much money on things we don’t need, when many of these devices end up having the same function as something we already have?

The article goes on to list the 4 basic things we need: internet service, entertainment, communication devices and computing devices. I didn’t realize how badly I needed a strong internet connection while living at home again. I have 4 people living in my household, and we all use our internet at the same time, be it for school, work or entertainment. Along with a strong internet connection, we need devices to connect to the internet besides our phones. We need websites like Netflix or Hulu, or some kind of entertainment method. We also need some way to communicate with others, for example a phone call or video chatting with Zoom. With these 4 basic things, we should be able to get through this quarantine.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/technology/personaltech/virus-essential-tech.html

With the pandemic still spreading across the globe, social distancing is one of the best practices that we can follow in order to ensure the safety of our loves ones and others.

I, among many others around the world, had found myself celebrating my birthday in quarantine. I was glad to be able to be around my family to celebrate, but nothing beats going out with your friends on your special day. My family decided to set up a Zoom meeting with all of my cousins and friends to celebrate. I had fun! But it was definitely not how I imagined to be celebrating my 21st.

What if there was a new, better way of connecting to each other, not just through screens? That’s where virtual reality comes in. Through virtual reality, we’d be able to not only talk to and see our loved ones but also go anywhere in the world we’d want (in a virtual sense). Seeing as how expensive virtual reality equipment is, companies have struggled to diversify their clientele. However, the pandemic has opened up a larger market: people bored at home. Companies have decided to rent out VR devices, where they offer contact-less delivery and step by step set up through video chat. Quarantine parties can now go from just video chatting to being able to create customized avatars and play games with each other. I believe this is a great opportunity to increase the exposure of VR technology to people who would have never thought of using it before.

Source: https://www.chron.com/business/texas-inc/article/Zoom-parties-are-so-five-weeks-ago-Hello-virtual-15218790.php

With the threat of the rapidly spreading virus over our heads, it is important for citizens to stay indoors and practice safe hygienic practices. However, this isn’t may not be possible for all, as there are many who are considered essential employees. In order to combat the spread and identify early symptoms, Amazon has decided to use thermal cameras to detect high body temperatures for workers in warehouses. If there is an unusual amount of heat radiating from a worker, they will be taken aside for further temperature measuring. If the worker is shown to have a fever, they will be sent home. Many experts have said this is not the most efficient way to detect the virus, as may people may be asymptomatic or begin having symptoms long after being infected.

I think Amazon is going in the right direction with using thermal detection, but it just won’t be as effective as getting tested to confirm a diagnoses. Although they may be able to detect fevers, they may not be able to detect other symptoms, which could further the spread to other workers in the warehouses.

I believe that the best way to slow down the rate of the spread is to increase the availability of testing kits, and allow testing for all people, whether they have symptoms or not. That way those who are being tested positive will have to stay under quarantine

Source: https://mashable.com/article/amazon-coronavirus-thermal-cameras/

Location tracking has always been a topic of controversy. Many believed location tracking from apps and other websites to be a violation of privacy, and a danger to the public. Users may not be fully aware that their location information is being shared or sold to third parties. Anyone could gain access to your location, figure out where you are at any given time, or when you’re not home.

Despite the danger it may pose, location tracking can be very useful when it comes to safety of people that matter most. I use location sharing with my own family (with their consent), just so I know that everyone is safe when I am away from home.

During this time of uncertainty, we may need to rethink our opinions about location tracking when it comes to the spread of COVID-19. What started out to be a few hundred cases in the US turned into over 700,000 in the span of a few months. If we are able to track the spread, we can be better prepared to prevent and treat it. Major companies like Google and Apple have been developing Bluetooth based contact tracing features to mobile operating systems. People have been tested positive with corona virus are able to check into the app and begin to share their location. The tracking will only be enabled once a patient has been tested positive.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/technology/coronavirus-location-tracking.html

With the spread of COVID-19 rapidly increasing, more and more people find themselves quarantined at home, and unable to go out for basic necessities. There’s been a growing need for contact-less delivery, and sometimes humans aren’t enough. Starship Technologies has been sending more of these autonomous robots that deliver food and groceries to the Tempe, AZ area. Not only do these robots walk through rain or shine to make their deliveries, but they are also easing the burden of thousands of people who order with them as well as the businesses who are being most affected by the quarantine. These adorable little robots will meet you at a pinned location set by you, and can be unlocked through the Starship Deliveries app.

It’s great to see that companies like Starship Technologies are doing what they can help people in need. I can see so many possibilities with these robots to help. They can deliver groceries and meals to senior citizens or quarantined people who are unable to go out for themselves.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/09/starship-technologies-is-sending-its-autonomous-robots-to-more-cities-as-demand-for-contactless-delivery-rises/

Even with all of the positivity that it may bring, social media has shown its dark side. Countless rumors and conspiracy theories have sparked great fear the public so much that people are now burning down 5G Cell Towers, believing them to one of the reasons for the spread of the COVID-19 virus. One particular theory that has literally blazed through social media like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp was that the radio waves from these cell towers were making people more susceptible to the virus. Up until now, theories such as this one have remained in the darkest parts of the internet, but thanks to social media and the growing panic surrounding the pandemic, buildings are being vandalized and burned, technicians are being harassed, people are trying potentially fatal home remedies, etc.

Who is responsible for the harm that comes out of these theories? The social media accounts that start or spread them? The celebrities that endorse these theories? The social media companies that should monitor such dangerous posts? How can we trust these social media websites to provide us accurate information when a cure is found?

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/technology/coronavirus-5g-uk.html

As the virus continues to spread around the globe, it’s interesting to see the many ways people are able give and receive information. It came to my surprise when I found out that TikTok, of all applications, was one of the biggest platforms to spread information about the disease. More and more medical professionals have been hopping on to the platform to spread their knowledge and first hand experience with the disease, giving tips on safe hygiene practices, to even exposing their workplace environments. I’ve seen more and more videos of distraught medical workers who expose the fact that they are not well equipped for handling patients, often times having to reuse gloves and protective masks for weeks at a time, and potentially exposing themselves to the virus. The article (linked below) even states that doctors are using these social media platforms to work together to come up with treatment for the virus. With more and more people becoming aware of the severity of the situation, the more we can do to combat the spread.

I think using platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, etc are a great way for people to have their concerns addressed by real medical professionals when it isn’t safe for them to go out and see them, instead of relying on outdated webpages or invalid sources. Despite all of the negativity going around, I believe that social media is one of the major factors in keeping people sane and informed. We are living in a world that is more connected than ever before, and we need to use it to our advantage.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/tech/social-media-doctors-coronavirus/index.html